ENGLEWOOD, Colo. —
“Bo won’t play in this game, but he will play next week,” Payton stated following Wednesday's practice session. “If we were in a regular-season game, he wants to play, and he would be playing the next two weeks.” While the playing surface at
Quarterback Rotation and Player Updates
In Nix's absence, Payton confirmed that quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger will each play a half against the Falcons, with Stidham likely to start. The head coach indicated that other starters would see limited action, expected to participate in approximately 15 plays. This includes linebacker Jonathon Cooper, who has faced legal issues, including two arrests related to domestic violence in June. Despite these challenges, Payton affirmed, “He’ll play. You have to keep gathering the information.”
Nix's recovery has been closely monitored since he suffered a fractured right ankle during the Broncos' AFC divisional-round playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills in January. Following an initial surgery to repair the fracture, he underwent a second procedure in April to address bone spurs. Although he missed significant on-field work during the offseason, Nix has been fully participating in training camp and has taken the same number of snaps as he did the previous summer.
Positive Signs for Nix
Payton expressed optimism regarding Nix's condition, stating, “If we were playing a regular-season game, I would say he would play and he’d probably be 100%.” Nix himself has reported feeling “completely normal” during practices and is confident that the surgeries will not hinder his performance. “I’m going to roll out. I’m going to be as athletic as I can be. It’s a strength of ours, and we’ve got to use our strengths,” he remarked earlier in camp.
Additionally, Payton highlighted a notable play during training camp where Nix executed a successful throw on the run, describing it as “a real good sign.” This preseason game will also mark the first since Payton delegated play-calling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Davis Webb, who previously served as the Broncos' quarterbacks coach and led the team to a successful offensive outing in last year’s preseason against the Arizona Cardinals.
