Alex Singleton: Denver’s Tackling Maniac Isn’t Slowing Down

Training camp in late July is hell on Earth. The sun’s cooking, players are dripping sweat before warm-ups even start, and most guys look like they’d rather be anywhere else. But there was Alex Singleton, mainstay of the Denver Broncos defense, jogging back out onto the practice field with his right hand wrapped up like a boxing glove after thumb surgery. The dude literally had a club for a hand and was acting as if nothing had happened. That’s just who he is. He doesn’t care about the pain, doesn’t care about looking pretty. He just wants to stop whoever is carrying the football.

Alex Singleton: Denver Broncos Tackling Maniac Isn’t Slowing Down

Tackle Magnet

Singleton’s not flashy. He’s not gonna pick off five passes or pop up on highlight reels every week. But when you look at the stat sheet, it’s insane. Since 2020, he’s piled up 600-plus tackles, which is sixth in the whole league. In 2023, his last full season? A jaw-dropping 175 tackles. That’s the most by any Bronco in over three decades. And 13 double-digit tackle games. Thirteen! Some defenders just have a nose for the ball. That’s Singleton. If there’s contact happening, he’s there.

Thumb Injury

When word came down on July 29 that he broke his thumb, Broncos fans were like, “Great… just what we need.” The following day, surgery. Normally, that’s a recipe for sitting out a chunk of camp. But Sean Payton downplayed the concern. “If we had a playoff game tomorrow, he’d be out there with a club on his hand,” Payton told reporters. Sure enough, about a week later, Singleton was back on the field—thumb wrapped, still finding ways to lay people out. No hype, no hoopla and no excuses.

Next Man Up (temporarily)

Singleton’s short absence gave undrafted rookie Levelle Bailey a chance to run with the starters. Credit to the kid—he looked solid. Even Payton said, “He’s had a few good days, real good days… man, he’s in good shape.” But let’s be real. Bailey isn’t taking Singleton’s job. Not when even the newly acquired Dre Greenlaw, who just came over from the 49ers, is already calling him out as the guy: “He’s a tackling machine. He’s going to fight, he’s going to battle, and he’s going to give it everything he has on every single play.” That’s straight from a linebacker who’s played next to a 4-time All-Pro, Fred Warner.

High Expectations