Alex Singleton is just as surprised as his teammates that he played with a torn ACL.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 against Tampa Bay, Denver’s inside linebacker said he never felt any pain after sustaining the tear early in the first quarter and playing the rest of the game.
“I didn’t think I needed to get checked,” Singleton said. “If it was bad, something would happen, and it didn’t. But it ended up being bad.”
Singleton added he didn’t find out about the severity of the injury until that evening, around the time the swelling kicked in.
“It still blows my mind,” Singleton said. “It is what it is. I just have to get ready for next season.”
Singleton said he can’t believe he’s out for the entire season. Since the injury, he has been in the locker room and attending team meetings. He plans to be on the sideline for the next two home games. He thinks reality will settle in once he gets surgery Oct. 15.
Singleton proved to himself that he could play on a torn ACL. However, he never entertained the idea of pushing through the rest of the season with a bad knee.
“(The Broncos) won’t let me,” Singleton said. “That was X-ed out pretty quick.”
With Singleton sidelined, linebacker Justin Strnad has stepped up in his place. Strnad made a good impression in Denver’s 10-9 win over the Jets, sacking quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the first play of the game.
“I train with Aaron, so I gave him a lot of (crap),” Singleton said. “But I’m super happy for (Strnad). It was a special game.”
Badie ruled out: Broncos running back Tyler Badie has been officially ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the Raiders due to a back injury. Head coach Sean Payton said earlier this week that Badie could be a candidate for the injured reserve list. Undrafted rookie Blake Watson and recent practice squad addition Salvon Ahmed are potential players who could be activated for the game to fill Denver’s third running back spot.
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