Broncos welcome key defensive players back to practice

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos welcomed back cornerback Pat Surtain II, inside linebacker Alex Singleton and edge rusher Jonah Elliss to practice Wednesday as they returned to the field following their bye-week respite.

For Surtain, it was his first on-field work since he suffered a strained pectoral muscle Oct. 26 against the Dallas Cowboys. The Broncos chose not to put him on injured reserve, which would have necessitated losing him for at least four games — the minimum time a player must spend on IR before being eligible for return to the 53-player roster.

Denver’s decision to eschew placing him on injured reserve was a clear sign as to the expected recovery time for Surtain. His bold statements during his recovery also offered encouraging indicators as to his progress.

“I feel like Wolverine,” Surtain said on his podcast two weeks ago. “I feel like I’m healing the right way. Everything’s going on schedule, I mean, shoot, your boy moving his arm a little bit now… getting back to my regular movement system.”

With Surtain sidelined, second-year cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine and rookie Jahdae Barron stepped forward into more prominent roles.

SINGLETON BACK FOR BRONCOS 19 DAYS AFTER SURGERY FOR TESTICULAR CANCER

Singleton’s return was one of the most remarkable developments of the entire Broncos season, coming within three weeks of surgery following his testicular-cancer diagnosis. The veteran inside linebacker played against the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 4, just three days after learning of the cancer and one day prior to the procedure.

Earlier this week, Singleton sat down with ABC’s Good Morning America to discuss the events of the last few months, revealing that he hoped to play Sunday against the Washington Commanders.

Elliss missed the Week 11 game against Kansas City with a hamstring injury. He also sat out two October games with a shoulder issue, which followed an offseason spent rehabilitating from shoulder surgery.

Missing practice Wednesday was tight end Nate Adkins, who remains out following a knee injury suffered in the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ Week 8 win over the Cowboys.

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