WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Denver Broncos linebacker and team leading tackler Alex Singleton, who played all 57 snaps on defense in his team’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, tore his ACL in the game and will miss the remainder of the season.

Broncos coach Sean Payton confirmed Singleton’s injury after practice Wednesday at the Greenbrier Resort. The Broncos will spend the week at the Greenbrier between the win in Tampa, Florida, and Sunday’s game against the Jets at MetLife Field.

Payton said Singleton sustained the left knee injury when safety Brandon Jones intercepted a pass from Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield in the first quarter on the eighth defensive snap of the game. Singleton limped off the field after the play but stayed in the game and finished it.

“This is crazy, man,” said Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II.

“It’s a tough one,” Broncos quarterback Bo Nix said. “…If there’s one story, if I had to explain to Alex what kind of guy he is, it would be this: … I talked to him at halftime and he didn’t really say anything.”

Singleton, who leads the Broncos with 31 tackles, told the Broncos’ medical staff after the 26-7 win over the Buccaneers that he was experiencing pain in his knee. The Broncos stayed in Tampa on Sunday night before traveling to West Virginia on Monday.

Singleton underwent an MRI after the game in Tampa. Payton said he was informed of the MRI results Sunday night and that Singleton tore the ligament and will miss the rest of the season.

“First time. I’ve had players with torn ACLs … (but) I’ve never seen one where he felt like he could have played another game that night,” Payton said. “Kind of remarkable … obviously I’ve never seen anyone play that long (after the injury).”

With Singleton’s absence, the Broncos will have plenty of opportunities to fill. Singleton also wore the coach-player communication device in his helmet on game days.

The Broncos signed Cody Barton, who played inside linebacker in base defense alongside Singleton, as a free agent last offseason, and Justin Strnad, who is in his fifth season with the Broncos, could be added to the draft. Kristian Welch, who was signed just before the start of the regular season, has also played some snaps at inside linebacker in the first three games.

Singleton has played every game for the Broncos since signing his contract in 2022. In the previous two seasons, he was the team’s leading tackle with 163 and 177 tackles, respectively.

Payton said Singleton, who is with the team in West Virginia, will undergo surgery in about two weeks.

“He was just as surprised,” Payton said. “… We saw him in the training room after the game. He reported being sore. … I think we were all (surprised).”