Inside linebackers Drew Sanders, Alex Singleton suffer training camp injuries | Broncos notebook
ENGLEWOOD — The Broncos are suddenly missing two defenders at the same position due to injury.
Inside linebacker Drew Sanders will miss at least four to six weeks after suffering a torn ligament in his foot, coach Sean Payton said after training camp practice Monday at Broncos Park.
Inside linebacker Alex Singleton will be out roughly a week after breaking his thumb during Monday practice, a source confirmed to The Denver Gazette. Singleton is expected to return to training camp with a club cast on his hand.
Sanders is a key reserve who played in just four games last year after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Singleton is a returning starter. He missed 14 games last season with a torn ACL.

Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton jokes with onlookers as he stretches during an NFL football team practice Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Broncos' headquarters in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton jokes with onlookers as he stretches during an NFL football team practice Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Broncos’ headquarters in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Sanders’ injury occurred during practice Saturday. He was clearly in pain on the sideline after a play of 11-on-11. He was carted off the field and helped into the locker room by athletic trainers.
“The news for us was good news in that it’s a ligament in his foot, and it’s not a tendon,” Payton said Monday. “What does that mean? It’s going to be certainly north of 4-to-6 weeks. But the tendon is what we were concerned about. … The ligament repair is a much easier one than that of a tendon. So, we were all pretty happy with that. I’ll update you when we get a timeline.
“There have been some cases where there is surgery. Some where there is not. … He’s doing the right thing right now, kind of exploring those options.”
Payton said he anticipated that depth would be affected only in the “short-term.” However, that was before the news of Singleton’s injury, which was first reported by 9NEWS, also impacted the group. It sets up for inside linebackers Justin Strnad and Lavelle Bailey to get extra reps in training camp.
“We’ll look at that position closely,” Payton said, “and understand the reps and how we have to approach it.”
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Engram progressing
Tight end Evan Engram made several nice catches Monday on the third day of training camp at Broncos Park.
“We’re heading into the preseason, but there is a role, a vision we have for him,” Payton said. “Certainly, he can run. He has really good receiving skill sets. He has a good understanding of the passing game. I think the progress has been good.”
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Bolles maturity
Left tackle Garett Bolles enters his ninth season playing for the Broncos in 2025. He found a new way to help take care of his body this summer.
“I focused on my sleep this offseason, which I think will just give me more energy on the field,” Bolles said. “Physically, I feel great. Mentally, being in the offense for the third year in a row. … All five of us up front (are) just a special group and special people. We all just feed off of each other and we all want the best for each other.”