Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix had his 2025 season end abruptly with a fractured ankle.
The young star was unable to play in the AFC Championship Game, and there were questions around how much of his regular offseason program he would be able to participate in before the 2026 season begins.
However, the Broncos got some very promising news from the NFL owners’ meetings this week.
Bo Nix Ahead of Schedule in Return Timeline from Ankle Injury
Nix’s ankle fracture seemed like a freak injury at the time, but afterward, Broncos head coach Sean Payton said the quarterback had a condition he was predisposed to, and Nix’s injury was a matter of when, not if.
Nix disagreed with the sentiment, saying it was simply an injury that occurs while playing football.
Regardless of the cause, the Broncos quarterback underwent successful surgery after the injury and is rehabbing much more quickly than anyone expected.
Following the NFL owners’ meetings, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Nix is not only a “full go for the team’s offseason program with zero limitations, fully recovered from ankle surgery,” but he’s also further along than he typically is for his offseason conditioning program, which says a lot coming off an ankle injury.
Nix injured his ankle on the final drive of the Broncos playoff win over the Buffalo Bills. The Broncos quarterback ran a keeper and was tackled for a loss.
After that, with the injury sustained, he dropped back on the next play and lofted a deep ball downfield, where his receiver drew a pass interference penalty. Nix then took a knee to center the ball for the game-winning field goal, which sealed the win for Denver.
Interesting nugget out of the NFL owners meetings: Not only is #Broncos QB Bo Nix a full go for the team’s offseason program with zero limitations, fully recovered from ankle surgery—he’s actually further along than he typically is in his offseason conditioning program, per… pic.twitter.com/Pfk0HFFGtU
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 1, 2026
There were camera angles after the play that showed Nix telling Payton on the sideline that something was wrong with his ankle, and after Payton’s postgame press conference, he relayed the news.
Nix missed the AFC Championship Game when the New England Patriots beat the Broncos to advance to the Super Bowl, and Denver’s season was over.
With the young talent and roster construction the Broncos have, along with the pain of coming so close last season, they will be one of the favorites in the AFC once again.
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When Nix’s injury news became public, Broncos general manager George Paton said Nix was tracking to return in May when the Broncos begin organized team activities.
The former Oregon Duck is a month ahead of schedule and already further along in his conditioning program, signaling he’s in a great position as the Broncos still have time before the team returns to begin offseason activities.
