Denver’s Week 1 win came without Dre Greenlaw, whose quad issue kept him sidelined despite a three-year, $31.5M deal. Payton signaled he’ll be back sooner than later, which could sharpen Denver’s LB corps. Strnad and Singleton stepped up, helping limit the Titans to 133 total yards while Teammates prep for Week 2 at Indy and a visit from the Chargers.

Greenlaw’s absence allowed Talanoa Hufanga to debut as a Bronco, adding playmaking upside to the secondary. For fantasy managers, the takeaway is clear: monitor Greenlaw’s practice status, because his return would lift the defense’s tackling floor and overall fantasy upside in the coming weeks against tough foes like Colts and Chargers.

In Week 1, the defense showed depth and resilience even with Greenlaw out. If healthy, Greenlaw could re-anchor Denver’s front seven, boosting run defense and tackling opportunities for teammates. The Colts and Chargers games loom large for fantasy projections, with Ward’s rookie exposure underscoring the need for patience as Denver pieces together its Week 2 plan.

Denver named eight captains: Bo Nix, Courtland Sutton, Quinn Meinerz, D.J. Jones, Pat Surtain II, Talanoa Hufanga, Alex Singleton and Wil Lutz. Sutton extends his long captain run to five years; Nix and Meinerz are entrenched leaders; Jones and Surtain II bring defense leadership; Hufanga, new to Denver, steps in quickly; Singleton and Lutz round out a balanced leadership core. Week 1 vs Tennessee tests this leadership-driven approach and fantasy upside across offense and special teams.

Dreeze Greenlaw and Nate Adkins were the Broncos’ two DNPs on the 2025 injury report, with Greenlaw nursing a quad issue and Adkins sidelined by an ankle. Denver is taking a thoughtful, long-horizon approach to Greenlaw, planning to be smart and conservative early in the season. If Greenlaw cannot go, Justin Strnad would slide in opposite Alex Singleton, a shift that could influence Titans’ Week 1 game plan.

Denver’s other listed full participants—Nik Bonitto and Marvin Mims—signal the defensive depth and weapons they’ll lean on early. Payton’s stance on injuries emphasizes mandatory reporting over speculation, a stance that could keep fantasy managers in the dark until later in the week while the Broncos monitor practice reps and roster moves for Sunday.

Denver pairs Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw in the middle to anchor a defense rebuilt after injury setbacks, opening against the Titans and Cam Ward. Singleton’s communication and leadership, wearing the green dot, should help the run and pass fits, while Greenlaw’s burst and Mike Tyson-style physicality bring complementary heat. With both coming off major injuries, expect a cautious but pivotal minutes plan as the season begins.

The matchup against Ward offers a stern early test for a Broncos unit betting on a steady, versatile front seven. Fantasy managers should monitor workload ramps and potential tackle volume from the two veterans as Denver aims for a durable, long-haul blueprint in a newly anchored defense.

Denver's 2025 inside linebacker plan centers on Alex Singleton, back from ACL and a thumb issue, wearing the green dot and guiding a defense that also leans on Dre Greenlaw to stay healthy. Justin Strnad and Cody Barton add sturdy depth, while the Broncos hold three ILBs on the practice squad, signaling uncertainty but upside if health cooperates.

Payton highlighted Singleton's leadership, hinting he’ll be the signal-caller, while Greenlaw could open on a pitch count. If both stay healthy, Denver could field a top-tier unit, with Singleton's contract-year urgency boosting IDP value for opportunistic managers.