Broncos make a host of moves, but they won’t place Singleton on injured reserve

The Broncos made plenty of decisions Saturday — including the decision to place running back JK Dobbins on injured reserve — but the one they didn’t make was among the most notable: They didn’t move linebacker Alex Singleton to injured reserve.

The stalwart defender and Denver team captain underwent surgery for testicular cancer on Nov. 7, a day after playing in the team’s 10-7 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. He won’t play Sunday, but the fact that he’s not placed on the injured list is the strongest indication yet that his absence from the lineup is expected to be brief, a remarkable circumstance given the seriousness of his diagnosis and procedure.

Singleton was diagnosed after a league-required drug test revealed elevated hormone levels, leading to further examination and the revelation of cancer. He played three days after learning his diagnosis, then underwent the procedure.

Justin Strnad is expected to start Sunday in place of Singleton. Dr. Greenlaw will work alongside him.

Garret Wallow will return from injured reserve to provide depth; the Broncos recalled him Saturday. He practiced the last three days after missing the previous four games with a hamstring injury.

OTHER BRONCOS ROSTER MOVES

Denver waived wide receiver Trent Sherfield on Saturday, a move that follows the addition of veteran Lil’Jordan Humphrey to the Giants’ practice squad.

Losing Sherfield from the active roster on game day could change the complexion of Denver’s special teams, as Humphrey is not known for his work on special teams; he hasn’t played a single snap on special teams in two seasons with the Broncos and has logged just seven snaps in that phase in three games for the Giants this season. However, he saw 45 special teams snaps with the New Orleans Saints in 2021 under then-special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, now with the Broncos.

Cornerback Reese Taylor was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster for Sunday’s game. The Broncos used a practice squad elevation on Taylor last week.

Denver used its two practice squad elevations for Sunday on tight end Marcedes Lewis and linebacker Jordan Turner. Lewis, 41, now has no more elevations, having reached his limit of three in the regular season; if the Broncos want to use him again, they need to add him to the main roster.

BRONCOS PRACTICE TEAM ELEVATIONS:

2025:

• Week 1: LB Levelle Bailey, FB Adam Prentice
• Week 2: FB Adam Prentice (2), LB Garret Wallow
• Week 3: FB Adam Prentice (3), LB Garret Wallow (2)
• Week 4: LB Garret Wallow (3)
• Week 5: None
• Week 6: OL Calvin Throckmorton
• Week 7: None
• Week 8: LB Jordan Turner
• Week 9: WR Michael Bandy, TE Marcedes Lewis
• Week 10: TE Marcedes Lewis (2), CB Reese Taylor
• Week 11: TE Marcedes Lewis (3), LB Jordan Turner (2)

2024:

• Week 1: FB Michael Burton, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
• Week 2: RB Tyler Badie, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (2)
• Week 3: RB Tyler Badie (2), DB Tanner McCalister
• Week 4: LB Levelle Bailey, DB Tanner McCalister (2)
• Week 5: LB Levelle Bailey (2)
• Week 6: OT Cam Fleming, IOL Calvin Throckmorton
• Week 7: ILB Kwon Alexander, IOL Calvin Throckmorton (2)
• Week 8: ILB Kwon Alexander (2), IOL Calvin Throckmorton (3)
• Week 9: ILB Kwon Alexander (3), FB Michael Burton (2)
• Week 10: FB Michael Burton (3), ILB Zach Cunningham (1)
• Week 11: ILB Zach Cunningham (2), S Keidron Smith (1)
• Week 12: ILB Zach Cunningham (3), OL Nick Gargiulo (1)
• Week 13: OL Nick Gargiulo (2)
• Week 15: OL Nick Gargiulo (3), CB Reese Taylor (1)
• Week 16: DL Matt Henningsen (1), RB Blake Watson (1)
• Week 17: DL Matt Henningsen (2), WR David Sills (1)
• Week 18: DL Matt Henningsen (3)

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