Sean Payton provides encouraging update on when Bo Nix could return

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has had to break bad news on QB Bo Nix in the past.

Payton infamously held a second press conference after the AFC Divisional Round to announce Nix had fractured his ankle in a thrilling OT win against the Buffalo Bills.

Nix was done for the season and the Broncos offense was horrendous in a 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Title Game.

But on Thursday as Denver wrapped up its first full week of OTAs, Payton could actually share good news on Nix. The franchise QB had not one, but two offseason ankle surgeries. While there was fear the second one might knock out Nix until training camp, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

“I think we’ll see him in that role here, you don’t see the pre-practice, but he’s been throwing. And I do think in our third week when you guys are out here for three straight days, I think you’ll see more of a role,” Sean Payton said.

The Broncos have OTAs again next Week, June 9-11, with likely one day open to the media.

Then the following week, June 16-18, is mandatory minicamp. Reporters are allowed to watched all three days of practice, hence what Sean Payton is referring to. He thinks Nix should be able to participate more by then. On Thursday, Nix was spotted in a Broncos gear and a baseball cap.

Is it great that Nix broke his ankle and needed the initial surgery plus a clean-up procedure? Of course not.

But the fact the timeline has shifted from late July to the middle of June is encouraging. Clearly, Nix is feeling much better and the ankle is responding well.

Hopefully come training camp and certainly Week 1 this isn’t a story, but it also derailed Denver’s Super Bowl dreams last season.

All of Broncos Country is hoping Nix will be good to go — and according to Sean Payton he’s trending in the right direction.

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