Bo Nix says ‘I’m not scared’ but admits mental aspect coming back from ankle surgeries

Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix has had two ankle surgeries in the last nine months.

It’s easy to wonder if he doesn’t look like himself through six weeks of the 2026 NFL season because of them.

Nix has been adamant in press conferences dating back to the summer that he’s physically fine. But what about mentally?

He was asked on Wednesday by a reporter if there’s “any mental aspect involved to coming back from the ankle?”

“I’d be lying if I said no,” Bo Nix said. “I think that’s just what happens. I think you come back and every day is a progression. It’s like you’re doing treatment for the whole entire year. I’m not necessarily doing physical therapy treatment, but I’m out on the practice field getting rep after rep trying to get in super great shape so my carries can go up, so I’m ready when my number’s called.”

Nix’s running game has been basically non-existent after six games. On the season he has only 22 carries for 37 yards, or 1.7 yards per carry. In his first NFL season Nix rushed for 430 yards on 92 carries, which was 4.7 yards per attempt. Last year it was 356 yards on 83 carries, good for 4.3 yards per rush.

That aspect of his game hasn’t been there — but Nix made it clear he’s not playing fearful. At least not in his eyes.

“I’m not scared, I’m not physically like worried,” Bo Nix said. “I think all guys when they come back from an injury, just doing it one day at a time. So I think that’s just part of the game, that’s part of the process.”

Nix continued to expand as his surgically repaired ankle might be the most popular topic in all of Denver sports.

“I had surgery, probably, I think six months ago. It’s take awhile for things to fully re-engage and re-comeback and I’m confident in myself. I know I’m gonna get back and be exactly what I was, if not better, because as I get older that’s how it’s been,” Bo Nix said.

He added his training is going well, he’s taking it one game at a time and “it’s all about getting better.”

On a later question Nix said he wants to peak for the playoffs and that he spoke with a Broncos strength coach who told him he’s “hitting better speeds than I have since being here.”

It was another revealing day for Bo Nix at the podium, but at this point fans want to see it translate to the field. It’s good that he’s not scared, but clearing those final mental hurdles will be the only way the Broncos get to where they want to go this season.

And that’s hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after winning the Super Bowl in the middle of February.

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