Broncos Get Major Alex Singleton News Before Washington Game
Source: ILB Alex Singleton is expected back on #Broncos practice field tomorrow, just 19 days from surgery to remove cancerous tumor. Even after missing the Chiefs’ game, Singleton still team’s leading tackler with 89. Playing Sunday at Washington is the hope, but TBD.
Even after missing the victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, Singleton remains Denver’s leading tackler with 89 on the season, one of the top totals in the NFL.
Alex Singleton’s Rapid Return From Surgery Puts Practice in Play
Klis reported on X that Singleton is expected to rejoin the Broncos at practice this week, marking a remarkably quick return from testicular cancer surgery earlier this month.
The 31-year-old revealed in early November that a random NFL drug test flagged abnormal levels of the hormone hCG, which led doctors to the cancer diagnosis. Singleton played in Denver’s Thursday night win that week and then underwent surgery the following day, with the team announcing that the procedure was successful and that the cancer appeared to have been caught early.
Singleton has said he expects to return this season as long as follow-up testing continues to bring good news, and the Broncos echoed that optimism in their initial statement. Getting him back on the field less than three weeks after surgery, even in a limited capacity, would be another positive sign in that recovery timeline.
Klis added that while Singleton’s status for Washington is “the hope,” whether he plays will depend on how he responds to practice and the guidance from doctors and the team’s medical staff.
Heavy previously detailed Singleton’s diagnosis, surgery and mindset in the immediate aftermath of the news, including how teammates and coaches rallied around him during the frightening stretch.
What It Means for the Broncos Defense
On the field, Singleton’s potential return is a massive storyline for a Broncos defense that has leaned on him as its tackling machine and emotional heartbeat in the middle. His 89 tackles not only lead Denver but rank among the NFL leaders, continuing a trend that dates back to his breakout seasons with the
If he’s cleared to play against Washington, even on a pitch count, the Broncos would regain their every-down communicator at inside linebacker and a reliable run stopper. If he’s not, the team will have to keep leaning on its depth and rotation in the middle while continuing to monitor his health long-term.
The Broncos also have to balance the competitive boost of getting Singleton back with the reality that his recovery and future well-being come first. Early practice work, walkthroughs and positional drills could serve as the bridge between rehab and full-contact snaps.
Singleton also took his story national on November 25, appearing on “Good Morning America” to revisit the shock of learning about his testicular cancer from a random NFL drug test and how he “thought about it 24/7” in the days leading up to surgery. He told GMA he’s trying to turn the experience into a platform for early detection, saying he now wants to be the guy on the mountaintop telling people to get checked and stay on top of their health.
Stats, Schedule & Context for Broncos & Singleton
Singleton’s story has already become one of the season’s most striking examples of how quickly serious health issues can be detected — and treated — in the NFL environment. His case has drawn national attention to testicular cancer awareness and early screening, with medical experts pointing to his experience as a reminder for other men to pay attention to warning signs.
For quick plug-and-play context in your final draft:
- Broncos record: 9-2
- Washington record: 3-8
- Singleton 2025 stats: 89 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass deflected
- Week he missed: Chiefs game in Denver, Week 11
- Next game: Broncos at Washington, Sunday, Week 13, Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
If practice goes as hoped, the Broncos could be welcoming back their leading tackler and defensive captain at the very moment the stretch run tightens, and Singleton could be taking the next step in turning a terrifying diagnosis into a comeback story.
Kamal Hadden’s Stellar Play Puts Nate Hobbs’ Starting Role in Jeopardy
After a quick turnaround on a short week, the Green Bay Packers begin the toughest part of their schedule in the final stretch of the season. Starting with Thanksgiving clash against the Lions, the Packers play four of their final six games on the road, all against likely playoff teams except for the Vikings. This stretch will determine their placement in the NFC North and postseason race. If they are going to take the lead in the division, it will be on the back of their impressive defense. The offense remains inconsistent, but the Packers have established themselves as one of the best defenses in the league.
Nevertheless, questions persist about certain areas of the defense. The cornerback rotation has underperformed all season, only to be saved by Carrington Valentine's emergence in recent weeks. To make matters worse, Keisean Nixon exited Week 12 early with a stinger. He was listed as a DNP in Monday's estimated injury report, putting his status for Thursday in jeopardy.
This raises questions about who should get the start in Nixon's absence. Nate Hobbs, who has been a source of disappointment all season, was listed as a limited participant on Monday after missing the last three weeks with a knee injury. He should presumably be the favorite to start if Nixon can't go, but this would be a mistake. Kamal Hadden more than earned the right to make his first career start after impressing in his 31 defensive snaps against the Vikings.
Kamal Hadden Should Get the Start in Keisean Nixon's Absence
At this point in the season, Hobbs is a known commodity. He struggles on the outside and isn't 100% physically. He will be coming back from an injury and provides low upside.
Hadden, on the other hand, has some untapped potential. Since signing in Green Bay before last season, Hadden has exclusively been used as a practice squad member and a special teamer. In Week 12, he got his first defensive snaps and held his own. Not only did he receive a decent 62.3 defensive grade on Pro Football Focus, but he also impressed by not backing down against Justin Jefferson in a sequence highlighted on X by Daire Carragher of Pro Football Focus.
After an obvious holding call goes uncalled on Jefferson, Hadden is visibly pissed. On the very next snap, he goes right at Jefferson and clamps him up.
This was the latest example of the brief flashes Hadden has shown in the limited opportunities he has had in his career. In the preseason finale against the Seahawks, he had an excellent game, not allowing any catches in five targets in coverage. That may have earned him a spot on the 53-man roster, and the performance against the Vikings may finally earn him a role in the league.
