Bo Nix Scrambles in Camp After Two Right Ankle Surgeries

Bo Nix confirms he will not hesitate to scramble this season despite undergoing two surgeries on his right ankle since the AFC Divisional round.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix completed a touchdown pass to Marvin Mims Jr. while rolling to his right during team drills on Saturday, the third day of training camp in Englewood, Colo. Nix, who recorded 356 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns last season, confirmed he will not hesitate to scramble on his surgically repaired right ankle during the upcoming campaign. The quarterback underwent an initial procedure to repair a fracture suffered in the closing minutes of a postseason victory against the Buffalo Bills, followed by an April surgery to address bone spurs in the same joint.

During the previous season, Nix led the NFL with 612 pass attempts while being sacked only 22 times. The Denver offense maintained a league-low 3.75% sack-per-pass-attempt rate, a statistic head coach Sean Payton attributes to the quarterback's mobility. Nix ranked third on the Broncos in rushing yards last year and finished second on the roster in rushing scores. Following Saturday's practice, Payton described the signal-caller's ability to escape sacks and extend plays as "one of his superpowers," noting that analytics show a dramatic drop in scoring probability when a drive includes a sack.

Recovery Timeline and Training Camp Status

Nix was medically cleared for the start of training camp after missing the majority of on-field work during the Broncos' offseason program. His participation in the June mandatory minicamp was limited to throwing drills. However, he has now resumed his full allotment of repetitions with the first-team offense. During Saturday's session, Nix demonstrated his mobility through multiple scrambles and throws on the run, stating he feels "normal" and that nothing is holding him back on the field.

Strategic Approach to Contact

The quarterback emphasized that while he intends to remain athletic and "roll out," he will prioritize situational awareness regarding hits. Nix noted he will slide to avoid unnecessary contact on first downs but is prepared to stay upright for key third or fourth-down conversions. He explicitly stated he does not plan to attempt to run over every defender, focusing instead on being smart to ensure he can move on to the next play. He views his mobility as a team strength that must be utilized to feel "free" and perform at his best.

Preseason Outlook and Upcoming Schedule

Sean Payton indicated that most starters will see playing time during the preseason, though specific snap counts for Nix have not been finalized. The Broncos are scheduled to open their preseason slate on Aug. 14 against the Falcons in Atlanta. Nix enters this period looking to build on a season where he proved difficult to sack, a trait Payton observed on his college tape prior to his arrival in Denver. The quarterback continues to progress toward the regular season, citing his offseason training as the foundation for withstanding the physical demands of the position.