Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix’s return from an ankle fracture sustained during the AFC Divisional Round game against the Buffalo Bills is being carefully managed by the team.
After undergoing surgery in January, Nix’s on-field participation was postponed due to a clean-up procedure that the quarterback underwent in April.
NFL Analyst Details Broncos’ Bo Nix Return Plan
During Saturday’s segment of SportsCenter, ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler detailed the careful steps that the Broncos were implementing in Nix’s scheduled return from injury for minicamp.
“He’s got minicamp next week. He wants to do something in minicamp,” Fowler said. “So, looks like the Broncos are gonna oblige, they’re gonna get him out there on that surgically repaired ankle. But, it’s gonna be pretty light work with him as one person with the team told me, ‘We’re not trying to jeopardize him, we’re trying to get him clear for training.’
“You might see him on some seven-on-seven work, similar to what Patrick Mahomes is doing in Chiefs camp. These quarterbacks are high achievers; they want to get out there early and sort of beat the odds, defy the timelines. Broncos will be really careful with him, but he will be on the field for minicamp, which is considered pretty big progress.”
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Nix has been ramping up his return and Denver coach Sean Payton revealed that the quarterback had taken part in the walkthrough before the Broncos’ OTA on Thursday ahead of his expected return to action.
After becoming just the second rookie in Denver history, after John Elway, to start Week 1 under center, Nix led the Broncos to their first playoff appearance in nine years.
Nix will have a new offensive coordinator next season, as the team promoted quarterback coach Davis Webb to the position after parting ways with Joe Lombardi. Webb and Nix have formed a strong relationship in recent years.
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While speaking to reporters this week, Webb addressed whether the significant change would impact his relationship with Nix next season.
“I think the relationship is very strong. I picked him up when we drafted him,” Webb said. “I’ll still be with him every day and be in the quarterback room. Bo and I’s relationship will still be great. It’ll be a little different. Sean said it best, I won’t be as warm and fuzzy as I used to be. But he already gets that in our quarterback meetings.”
Last season, Nix earned a PFSN QB Impact Score of 78.4, which ranked 14th in the NFL. He totaled 3,931 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while adding 356 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground for the Broncos during the regular season.
