Sean Payton reveals plan for Bo Nix in first game back since fractured ankle

Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix will finally be back on an NFL field on Friday night.

Nix has missed the last two games the Broncos have played, which obviously varied significantly in importance.

Denver’s starting quarterback had to sit out the AFC Title Game after fracturing his ankle in the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills. Jarrett Stidham and the offense were stuck in the mud in a frustrating 10-7 loss to the Patriots, leaving the Broncos one step short of the Super Bowl.

And after two offseason surgeries, Bo Nix sat out the preseason opener last week against Atlanta. Stidham looked good and the Broncos crushed the Falcons.

We knew Nix would play this coming Friday against the Packers and after training camp practice on Wednesday, Payton revealed how much.

“Tonight, we’ll do the roles, but he’ll play. We’ll look at the pitch count, maybe similar to last week. With that 14 snap count,” Payton said.

A chunk of the Broncos starters played about 14 snaps in Atlanta, while others had to stay in the game longer due to a variety of injuries the team is battling.

“When we do that tonight, we go through each phase and who might be the early outs and then who might play a little bit more. A lot of it is based on… like last week we had a few lineman out. So, we knew were going to have to go a tick longer. We’ll do that tonight,” Payton said.

Fortunately, Nix has Stidham and Sam Ehlinger behind him, so they’ll be ready to go as soon as Payton has seen enough from Nix and the first-team offense.

If they open with a long touchdown drive, it might only be one series. If that unit goes three-and-out, you can bet Bo Nix will be back on the field.

As for the No. 2 QB competition between Stidham and Ehlinger, Payton wasn’t ready to disclose how many snaps they’ll play or who will come in after Nix.

“We’ll get all of them in,” Payton said.

Broncos Country has waited a long time to see Bo Nix back in action.

And that milestone is a little more than 48 hours away, even if it’s only the preseason.

Related

Sean Payton reflects on Broncos ‘tussle’ and is using it as a teaching momentThe Broncos’ path to the Super Bowl runs through a more balanced offensePreviewing Bo Nix’s long-awaited return to the field against the PackersBroncos offensive coordinator makes sure his players know penalties aren’t acceptableBroncos see tempers boil over in intense Tuesday practiceBo Nix eager for first game reps with Davis Webb