Put away the panic button, Denver Broncos fans. Quarterback Bo Nix is going to be all right.
In late April, ESPN sparked some worried whispers in the Rockies when it reported that Nix, who was working his way back from a broken ankle, underwent a second procedure on his injured joint. On May 9, Broncos head coach Sean Payton put to rest any concerns inspired by his franchise quarterback’s second surgery.
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“The followup procedure was not a surprise,” Payton told members of the media. “No surprises. We feel real good about where he’s at.”
Nix, 26, broke his right ankle during the closing moments of the Broncos’ overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs. The injury, which required surgery, knocked Nix out of Denver’s appearance in the AFC championship game.
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In the months after his initial procedure, Nix had a follow-up evaluation with his surgeon. At the end of April, the Broncos’ starter underwent a second, “cleanup” procedure on his ankle, which ESPN’s Ian Rapoport reported at the time was “not rare or unexpected.”
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Here’s how Nix’s second ankle surgery impacts his timeline to return:
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New York Jets – Arch Manning, QB, Texas
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Miami Dolphins – Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
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Arizona Cardinals – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
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Atlanta Falcons – Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
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Tennessee Titans – Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
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Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Las Vegas Raiders – Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
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Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Cleveland Browns – CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
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New York Giants – Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
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Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
New Orleans Saints – Colin Simmons, DE/OLB, Texas
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Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Washington Commanders – Dylan Stewart, DE/OLB, South Carolina
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Jets (from IND) – KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
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Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Pittsburgh Steelers – Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
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Jets (from DAL) – Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
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Payton said on May 9 that Nix’s second ankle procedure was not a surprise and should not affect his ability to participate in training camp.
“[Nix]’s doing great. He’ll be well ahead of time for training camp,” Payton said. “I think there’s a good chance we see him in this offseason program in June. We’re gonna be the ones kind of holding him back.”
The Broncos begin their organized team activities (OTAs) early in June. They’ll have one three-day session from June 2-4 and a four-day session from June 8-11. After that, Denver’s mandatory minicamp will take place from June 16-18 to wrap up its spring workouts before training camp begins in July.
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Even if Nix does not take the field in OTAs and minicamp, Payton’s comments served to express confidence that the quarterback will be back in action for training camp and ready to start in Week 1.
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Bo Nix stats
Here’s how Nix performed during the 2025 season, by the numbers:
Completion rate: 388-of-612 (63.4%)
Rushing: 83 attempts for 356 yards (4.3 yards per attempt) and five touchdowns
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bo Nix injury update: Sean Payton says Broncos QB ‘ahead of schedule’
