The Denver Broncos took a gamble, and it is set to pay off. The Broncos opted against placing Pat Surtain II on injured reserve, and now the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is one of two key players who appear set to return in Week 13.
Denver is on the road, facing the Washington Commanders on “Sunday Night Football.”
Surtain strained his pec in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys. Linebacker Alex Singleton missed Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs after surgery to address testicular cancer.
Broncos Get Pat Surtain II, Alex Singleton Back at Practice
GettyPat Surtain II #2 of the Denver Broncos reacts after a win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Neither Singleton (full) nor Surtain (limited) had practiced for the Broncos since they went out. At least, not until Wednesday, when both players logged at least limited sessions. Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s comments on Surtain were the most telling.
“I think his presence in the room – You got to know this: You got to pry words from Pat to begin with, right?” Payton joked with reporters on November 26. “But I think any of these guys that miss time are still involved in the meetings. And so, that presence in the meeting would be the same, whether they’re playing or not. And so, certainly, it’s great to get someone like him back in the lineup and ready to go.”
According to Payton, the Broncos were optimistic about both Surtain and Singleton.
“We didn’t get into it. But I think we felt, realistically, when we – obviously, the scans and all of that stuff were important. And when those came back positive, man, the relief just for Alex, never mind the football player,” Payton said. “We felt confident with he, and Patrick, and a few of these guys we’ve been without, this was kind of a target game.”
Surtain was a bit more cautious in his take on whether or not he will return to the field for the Broncos in Week 13.
“Surtain … said he wants to wait until Friday to see how the week of practice goes before potentially talking to media,” The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reported in a post on X on November 26.
However, DNVR’s Zac Stevens posted on X that he fully expects Surtain, like Singleton, to play.
Broncos’ 1st Injury Report of Week 13 Encouraging
GettyJonah Elliss #52 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack with Alex Singleton #49 against the Tennessee Titans.
With Singleton and Surtain tracking to return, left guard Ben Powers, who is on IR with a torn biceps, is one of two starters that the Broncos are missing. Powers is another potential returnee with early December as a target.
Most of the other Brocos on IR are backups, save for running back J.K. Dobbins, whom Payton confirmed could return for a potential postseason run.
Second-year pass rusher Jonah Elliss also returned to practice in a limited fashion.
He sat out Week 11 due to a hamstring injury, while fellow pass rusher Jonathon Cooper practiced in full on Wednesday, but was listed with a thumb injury. Rookie receiver Pat Bryant followed suit, listed as a full participant despite dealing with a shoulder issue.
Tight end Nate Adkins, who can also play fullback, was the only player listed on Wednesday’s injury report as a non-participant in practice.
Still, if Singleton and Surtain return as expected, it will be a boon for the Broncos.
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