The Denver Broncos have come under fire for their handling of the narrative regarding quarterback Bo Nix’s recovery from surgery to repair a broken bone in his ankle that sidelined him for the AFC Championship Game.
The Broncos are preparing to get into their offseason program after players reported in April, and Nix’s level of participation has been the subject of significant scrutiny.
Nix has since responded with an emphatic display.
Broncos’ Bo Nix Drops Video Amid Injury Uncertainty
GettyDenver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix slipped an intriguing video into a post on Instagram.
Nix suffered the injury near the end of the Broncos’ win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. They lost the AFCCG to the New England Patriots 10-7, underscoring the sentiment that they could have made the Super Bowl had Nix been healthy.
News of a second procedure threw Nix’s projected return timeline off kilter, with training camp looking like the nearest certainty.
That may remain the case, but Nix let it be known that he is progressing just fine.
“Bo Nix posted a video of him running at some point this offseason on his IG,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens captioned a post on X on May 1, including the clip of the Broncos’ third-year quarterback running on a flat surface for a short distance.
The video was part of a slideshow that included several images, including him and wife Izzy Nix, along with their newborn, Riley.
Nix slipped the clip in as the last slide in the post, captioning the post “Good times flying by.”
Nix’s health has been the subject of concern since he underwent the surgery. Broncos head coach Sean Payton also made note of the QB’s previous injury history.
Payton said Nix was “predisposed” to a “condition” with his ankle.
Nix pushed back, Payton later clarified his comments, and the Broncos have continued to suggest there have been no setbacks to Nix’s recovery or anticipated return-to-action timeline, despite him having a follow-up procedure.
2nd Surgery Raises Eyebrows About Bo Nix
GettyThe Denver Broncos have maintained there is no concern over Bo Nix.
The narrative that the Broncos have pushed led some to believe that Nix would be available in May. That now looks optimistic. The Broncos will look to ensure QB1 is healthy and ready to go for training camp and the regular season.
This latest procedure has been billed as an expected part of the process, but not everyone is convinced of that.
“The expected follow-up procedure or re-check wasn’t expected as recently as the league meetings 4 weeks ago when Nix was to be full go by start of offseason program,” 9News’ Mike Klis said in a post on X on April 29. “Targeted full return is now training camp which still means all good – providing no more setbacks.”
Klis was not alone in noticing the change, with Nix’s own comments resurfacing.
“Nix … said [in January] it would be ‘absolutely no issue this offseason,’” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans posted on X on April 28. “Greg Penner also said in late March that Broncos had “no concerns at all” on Nix for OTAs. But Nix’s participation in OTAs is in question.”
Whatever the narrative, Nix is making marked progress if the video is indeed post-surgery. He was getting around via scooter in February.
The Broncos are poised to challenge for the No. 1 seed in the AFC again if Nix gets healthy.
Bo Nix Sends Attention-Grabbing Message Amid Broncos Cover-Up Controversy