Bo Nix underwent his second ankle surgery three weeks before the start of the offseason program. The information creates a disturbing impression, making many Denver fans wonder if Nix will be back this season at his full potential.

However, Sean Payton, the head coach of the Broncos, shows no signs of distress. During the minicamp press meet, he had nothing but good news to give.

"He'll be well ahead of time for training camp. We're going to be the ones kind of holding him back, if you will," Payton said at the minicamp.

But even though Nix would be back in time for the team's June camp, Payton wanted to make sure the QB didn't overexert himself.

The prevention existed as a safety measure for protection. The practical yet positive forecast emerged when people dealt with another inquiry about Payton's June activities.

"He's going to want to push that earlier, but I'm probably, you know, we'll be smart, you'll see him probably in minicamp. He'll be full speed throwing, everything, in July before we get back here." Payton added later.

Nix broke his right ankle on January 17, 2026, during the AFC divisional round game between Denver and the Buffalo Bills, which ended with Denver winning 33 to 30 in overtime after Nix completed his last drive of the game.

Payton described Nix's Birmingham visit during draft weekend as a routine recheck. But his statement to reporters that "there was nothing to report" received public scrutiny after actual procedure details became known days later.

He later clarified that two procedures were routine for injuries like this. Nix was the sixth player he had seen going through it, somewhat assuring fans.

Payton also mentioned that the team might add another quarterback for OTAs to support Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger during June practices. 

Payton established three recovery stages for his players, which included restricted practice through OTAs, followed by mini-camp and complete team participation scheduled for late July. 

Bo Nix's Recovery Timeline Collides With a High-Stakes Season Opener

The Denver Broncos will play their first game of the 2026 season against the Kansas City Chiefs during their scheduled Monday Night Football game on September 14.

The NFL opening weekend starts with this divisional match, which demonstrates current team abilities while dismissing results from their previous season.

The Broncos have used Nix as a player in all of their 36 games since he was picked 12th in the 2024 draft, which includes two complete seasons and their AFC Championship game. 

The streak ended when he suffered an ankle injury during the Bills game, which kept him out of Denver's 10-7 loss against the New England Patriots.

Payton shows his commitment to quarterback protection through his methodical approach to the upcoming divisional primetime game. Payton said at the rookie minicamp Saturday that "We just want to be smart" and the calculations now extend beyond the offseason program. 

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes will also return for Week 1 after recovering from a torn ACL and LCL injury in December 2025. The 2026 season will feature one of its most exciting quarterback narratives, which directly involves Nix and him.

Read more at Quarter Back Central!

Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit