Bo Nix faces final offseason ankle injury benchmark ahead of training camp as the Denver Broncos begin mandatory minicamp
Will Bo Nix participate in practices as the Denver Broncos kick off their mandatory minicamp this week? It’s the final offseason ankle injury benchmark ahead of training camp for the third-year quarterback.
Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix will face his final offseason benchmark this week as he aims to return from last season’s ankle injury.
Nix is rehabbing from a fractured right ankle suffered on the penultimate play of OT in Denver’s January 2026 Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills. The injury cost him the AFC Championship Game, and perhaps the Broncos a trip to Super Bowl LX.
The injury required surgery in January, and a cleanup procedure this past April. Yet, Broncos HC Sean Payton has already declared that Nix will be “full go” by training camp. As Denver kicks off the final offseason workouts before training camp, everyone is asking: Will Nix participate?
Bo Nix Quick Facts & Stats
The former 12th overall pick out of Oregon in the 2024 NFL Draft. In his second season as a professional, Nix put together an AFC West-winning season, leading the Broncos on a deep playoff run.
- 17 games started.
- 388-of-612 passing.
- 3,931 passing yards, 25 TDs, 11 INTs
- 356 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs
How the Broncos can protect Bo Nix as mandatory minicamp begins
The Broncos are one of 11 NFL teams kicking off mandatory minicamp this week. ESPN’s Jeff Legwold confirmed that Nix had done some pre-practice throwing during OTAs in the weeks leading up to mandatory minicamp. Still, he was listed as a non-participant in practices with his ankle injury.
The real worry when Nix does get back on the practice field isn’t throwing — it’s his legs. Nix got hurt on a QB sweep during the playoffs, and his rushing ability became a load-bearing part of Payton’s offense in 2025. Denver should undoubtedly scale back the designed QB runs in 2026 to protect Nix. That’s a concern for the season, though. What about getting him back on the football field for minicamp to further the continuity that saw the Broncos as a top team in 2025?
At this point in the offseason, Denver should look to involve Nix in a limited capacity if he’s capable. A no-contact minicamp is the perfect opportunity to allow Nix to participate in individual drills, throwing work, and 7-on-7 team drills.
What happens if he doesn’t get back on the practice field, though? That’s when Broncos fans should start questioning Payton’s “full go” comments. That’s when they go from a legit medical opinion to front-office optimism. An ankle brace or limited reps in June are expected, but no reps at all would almost certainly feel like a setback no matter what’s to come in July.