The Denver Broncos are working towards earning their bye week next week, and in order to do that, they’ve got to face a scrappy Panthers team in order to move to 7-2.
Sunday’s game features a heavyweight battle between Patrick Surtain II and Tet McMillan. You’ll get an insight into that, Alex Singleton’s big month in October, Sean Payton’s special nomination, and good news on the injury report.
Denver Broncos road matchup vs. Panthers features heavyweight battle
Patrick Surtain II vs. Tet McMillan is the matchup to watch for on Sunday as the Denver Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers.
McMillan is Carolina’s lead receiver, and Sunday’s matchup between him and Surtain will be must-see TV.
Two former first-round picks face off, with McMillan coming into Sunday’s game averaging 13.5 yards per catch this season, and he’s had three games this season where he’s had 10+ targets.
McMillan has also hit 100+ yards receiving twice this year, including his best game of the season against the Detroit Lions, where he hauled in 14 catches on 16 targets for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
Surtain has played in five games this season after missing three games due to an ankle injury. In five games, Surtain has only allowed 13 receptions on 23 targets, with a majority of those receptions coming against Davante Adams in Week 3 (five catches vs. Surtain).
Carolina has the NFL’s fifth-ranked passing offense right now coming into Week 9 and we’ll see how often Bryce Young looks to test Surtain with his top receiving target.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton nominated for USAA Salute to Service award
On Thursday, Broncos head coach Sean Payton was nominated by the team for USAA’s Salute to Service Award. Payton’s behind-the-scenes work with the K9S for Warriors non-profit group pairs veterans with highly trained service dogs in an effort to combat and prevent veteran suicide.
Payton’s father served in the military, which has helped drive Payton’s passion and work with men and women who have served. Through Payton’s Play It Forward Foundation, he’s helped raise $200,000+ for veteran-service programs and increase awareness of the challenges that veterans face after their military service ends.
When Payton arrived in Denver in 2023, he established a partnership with the Broncos and K9S for Warriors, which has helped serve Colorado veterans. Through that partnership, Payton has helped fund the training of service dogs Bucky & Thunder (2023), Crush (2024), and Elway (2025).
Alex Singleton named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October
Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton has been on a heater in the month of October, racking up tackle after tackle that has ultimately helped him jump into a comfortable lead as the NFL’s leading tackler through eight weeks of play.
“It’s sick,” Singleton said. “It’s cool. Obviously it’s not just me, it’s everyone else on our defense. I’ve said all the time, it’s a privilege to just get to be around the 10 other guys on the field, and then ‘VJ’ (Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph), [Inside Linebackers Coach Jeff] Schmedding, all those guys that really put in all the hours and all the work. It’s awesome. It’s really cool.”
October in particular was a big month for Singleton. He racked up 68 total tackles, two sacks, five tackles for a loss, and one pass defensed. 34 of his 68 tackles were solo tackles. He became the third player in the NFL since 1987 to record at least 14 tackles and a sack in back-to-back games, while his four double-digit tackle games were tied for the most in the league during the month of October.
He’s the first Broncos defensive player since Patrick Surtain II (2024) to win AFC Defensive Player of the Month.
Broncos Thursday Injury Report
For the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers, veteran safety Talanoa Hufanga was back at practice. Safety Brandon Jones was present, but did not participate.
The only two players who were not present for Broncos practice were cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike.
Injury Report
Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine – ankle – did not participate. Safety Brandon Jones – hamstring – did not participate. Safety Talanoa Hufanga – ankle – limited participation. Defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike – shoulder – did not participate. Defensive lineman Zach Allen – NIR-rest – full participation. Wide receiver Pat Bryant – ankle – full participation. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle – chest – full participation. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton – NIR-rest – full participation.Friday’s practice will tell us a lot about whether or not Hufanga has a chance to play on Sunday.
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