The Denver Broncos suffered a big blow Wednesday with word that top tackler Alex Singleton’s season is over because of a torn ACL.

Coach Sean Payton announced the bad news after the team’s first practice at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, where the Broncos (1-2) are working out ahead of their grudge match Sunday at the Meadowlands against the New York Jets (2-1).

The Broncos’ starting inside linebacker and defensive captain, Singleton was injured in the first half of Denver’s 26-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend but played all 57 defensive snaps and led the Broncos with 10 tackles.

“I couldn’t tell” he was hurting, fellow defensive captain Patrick Surtain II said. “I mean, he played lights out with a missing ACL. That’s a testament to the type of player he is. Alex, he’s a true competitor ... and seeing a guy out there just give it all for his team speaks volumes for the type of person he is.”

Bears excited about return of WR Allen >> Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams feels he took a big step forward in last week’s 21-16 loss at Indianapolis to the Colts.

It’s possible he’ll have a greater opportunity to advance the passing game Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams at home because he could be operating with a full wide receiver group again.

Keenan Allen returned to Bears practice Wednesday on a limited basis and could play for the first time since the opener.

“I mean to have a guy obviously as we know, Keenan Allen back, it’s gonna be great for our offense,” Williams said. “It’s just something else that the defense has to worry about throughout this week (of practice) and then obviously on game day.

“And so it’s gonna be great for us. His special talent of getting open in a phone booth is gonna be great for us.”

Allen was able to do more than he has since going out with an injury late in the 24-17 win over Tennessee on Sept. 8.

Wide receiver DJ Moore views it as a way to force defenses to play the Bears receivers differently than when he and rookie receiver Rome Odunze were the main options for Williams.

“You got three that you’ve got to worry about and you can’t just shade it to one side or to one person,” Moore said. “With Keenan back in the mix, you’ve got to play the whole field.”

Without him, Williams made strides anyway. He threw for a Bears rookie record of 363 yards last week, completing 33 of 52 with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Odunze had his first 100-yard game with six catches for 112 yards and a TD. Moore had eight catches for 78 yards and tight end Cole Kmet 10 receptions for 97 yards.

It’s still not coming along fast enough to suit Williams but he has seen things he likes while reviewing game film.

“The positivity that we have and the growth, the slow growth that we’re having — yes we do need to get it going a little bit more efficiently than we are — but the growth and positivity that we have within the film that we’ve seen and things like that over these past couple of weeks,” Williams said. “I mean to have a guy obviously as we know, Keenan Allen back, it’s gonna be great for our offense,” Williams said. “It’s just something else that the defense has to worry about throughout this week (of practice) and then obviously on game day.

“And so it’s gonna be great for us. His special talent of getting open in a phone booth is gonna be great for us.”

Patriots’ Bentley to go on IR with torn Pectoral muscle >> New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said the team would place linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.

Raekwon McMillans is expected to replace him on defense. Mayo said it was too early to say whether Bentley would be able to return this season.

Bentley is in his seventh season with the Patriots. He topped 100 tackles in each of the previous three years. He had 12 tackles in the season opener against Cincinnati but was injured against Seattle on Sept. 15.

Cardinals lose Jones for the season >> Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Justin Jones is out for the season after suffering a triceps injury in Sunday’s 20-13 loss to the Detroit Lions.

The Cardinals put Jones on injured reserve, and signed veteran Naquan Jones from the team’s practice squad.

Justin Jones signed a three-year deal — which included a reported $19.8 million in guaranteed money — during the offseason and was seen as a vital piece to the team’s rebuild. The 28-year-old started the first three games of the season and had four tackles with one fumble recovery.

Jets’ tackle Moses to miss games with knee injury >> New York Jets right tackle Morgan Moses will be sidelined “a couple games” with a knee injury, coach Robert Saleh said.