Alex Singleton often wears a T-shirt that reads, “Positive Vibes Only.” And that’s what the Broncos linebacker is planning to demonstrate as he recovers from surgery for testicular cancer.

Singleton said on social media Monday he had surgery last Friday to remove a cancerous tumor. The Broncos followed up with a statement saying the team captain “could return to play in the coming weeks pending additional test results.”

Singleton then addressed the media on a conference call. He made note of coming back this season from a torn ACL that ended his 2024 season after three games and of the T-shirt he regularly wears.

“It’s the same thing that got me through my knee,’’ Singleton said. “It’s the same thing that’ll get me through this, just the positive (mindset). … Having that mindset through this whole thing makes it easier, makes my body feel better.”

Singleton said on Oct. 29 following a random test as part of the NFL’s drug testing program, he received a note that he had elevated levels of the hormone hcG in his system. He saw doctors and learned last Monday he had testicular cancer. Surgery was scheduled then but he played in Denver’s 10-7 win last Thursday over Las Vegas, being in for all 60 defensive snaps and tying for the team lead with nine tackles.

Broncos officials knew last week about Singleton’s diagnosis and he said he told a few teammates. He addressed the team Monday to inform all others about his situation.

“It’s been a whirlwind, I would say,’’ Singleton said. “I don’t necessarily even know if I’ve fully coped with everything that’s gone on. … It’s still so shocking. … The surgery went really well, so I’m just obviously happy that I’m able to (talk to the media Monday).”

Singleton said he will miss Sunday’s game against Kansas City at Empower Field at Mile High. For games after that, it remains to be seen what additional pathology tests reveal. The Broncos have a bye week after facing the Chiefs before they next play Nov. 30 at Washington.

“I’m not giving an exact timetable yet, but I should recover pretty quickly from the surgery and then get up and running here pretty soon,’’ Singleton said.

Singleton, the Broncos’ nominee last season for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award due to his charity work, grappled at first whether to go public with his cancer. He ultimately decided to do so to be a “voice” to help others.

“I felt like I was almost contagious in a way,’’ Singleton said of first learning of his cancer. “That’s just how I’ve perceived or thought about cancer. (But) to take the stigma off of it and be an early advocate and be able to push this for screenings and stuff, I think will be really important in the long run.”

While Singleton noted his cancer was discovered during a drug test, he realizes that having been diagnosed early “obviously is going to end up saving my life in the long run.” Now, he has become an advocate for testicular cancer.

“I really appreciate it if we can get the word out to get everybody screened and checked,’’ he said.

After recovering from his torn ACL suffered in Week 3 last year at Tampa Bay, Singleton returned this season to start the first 10 games at inside linebacker. In those games, he was in for 99.4% of the snaps and wore the green dot, meaning he called defensive plays.

Against the Chiefs, Singleton will be replaced in the lineup by Justin Strnad, who has played well this season. Strnad filled in for Dre Greenlaw when Greenlaw missed the first six games of the season due to a quad injury and the Oct. 26 game against Dallas due to a one-game NFL suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Strnad is a strong candidate to wear the green dot against the Chiefs since Greenlaw has been playing reduced snaps as he eases his way back in the lineup. Strnad declined to discuss Monday who will call plays but spoke plenty about providing support for Singleton.

“Obviously, it’s some pretty big news for him to tell us, but with him sharing and everything, we’re all just here to support him, be there for him and continue the fight with him,’’ Strnad said. “He told the team (Monday) morning, and obviously we were all a bit surprised by it. … I’m just glad that everyone’s here to support him and give him everything that he needs at this time.”

Singleton expressed gratitude with support he has received from the entire Broncos organization, including owner Greg Penner, general manager George Paton, coach Sean Payton and his teammates.

“A couple (of teammates) knew before surgery going into the week, but I really just told everyone here at 10 (Monday morning),’’ said Singleton, who leads the Broncos with 89 tackles. “Just nothing but support and love, and just that because I feel like I’m disappointing them more having to miss a game.”

After learning Oct. 29 what had surfaced during the drug test, Singleton had a team-high 10 tackles while playing all 73 defensive snaps in an 18-15 win at Houston on Nov. 2. The next day, he saw Dr. Andrew Zilavy, who determined he had signs of a testicular tumor. Singleton informed the Broncos and he was put in contact with Dr. Geoff Ledgerwood, who conducted an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. Singleton said he also had a CT scan last week that confirmed the cancer had not spread to anywhere else in his body.

“Obviously, we have taken (the tumor) out and the pathology’s getting checked right now,’’ Singleton said.

Singleton, 31, said “it’s funny” that Ledgerwood has been telling him to “please stop Googling things” so as not to be alarmed by anything related to cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, testicular cancer, although not a common type of cancer, happens most often in males between the ages of 15 and 45 but is considered “highly treatable.”

Last week was an anxious one for Singleton after learning of his diagnosis. He said the Broncos playing just three days later was beneficial.

“When I found out Monday, the first thing I said was, “I still want to play Thursday,’’’ Singleton said. “Football’s always been an outlet for me. … The short week honestly made it better. Tuesday, Wednesday, I got to fully immerse myself in football. … (I was able to) get this off my mind as much as I could.”

Strnad was impressed with Singleton playing against the Raiders.

“It doesn’t surprise me with Alex,’’ Strnad said. “He’s shown to be the ultimate competitor and ultimate team player. … This is obviously a big obstacle but he’s going to overcome it.’’

After undergoing the surgery, Singleton spent last weekend at home with his wife Sam and young daughter Tallyn, saying he was “just smiling and and playing with her.” He laughed when saying it “felt really long sitting on the couch and watching that much football” on Saturday and Sunday.

Now, Singleton is eager to get back to playing football. In the meantime, he vows to follow the advice shown on his T-shirt and have “positive vibes only.”