After a devastating postseason ankle fracture, the former Oregon Ducks star faces a sidelined spring as Sean Payton curbs expectations for his return to the field before training camp.
Former Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix was the hero of the Denver Broncos win over the Buffalo Bills in overtime of their Divisional Round contest in January.
Unfortunately for the former Ducks standout, he broke his ankle at the end of the game and was ruled out for the Broncos' 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC championship.
Oh what could have been for Nix and Denver had he remained healthy for the AFC championship.
Over the weekend, Broncos head coach Sean Payton provided an update on Nix's recovery this spring. He had some tough news for Denver, suggesting Nix would not return to the practice field until at least mandatory minicamp and wouldn't be back to 100 percent until training camp.
"[Nix]'s doing great. He'll be well ahead of time for training camp," Payton said, via USA Today. "I think there's a good chance we see him in this offseason program in June. We're gonna be the ones kind of holding him back."
The Broncos wouldn't confirm he'd be back for mandatory minicamp, which leaves questions for the team regarding how many arms they'll have throwing during the spring.
Regardless, it would be ideal for the young quarterback to build chemistry with his receiving corps before training camp, because it's doubtful the Broncos will give him extra reps in the preseason.
Following the injury in January, Nix expressed his feelings after being devastating by the diagnosis.
"The last few days have been hard to put into words," Nix wrote. "What started as one of the most exciting games I’ve ever been a part of ended with some of the most devastating football news I’ve ever received.
"This is not how I imagined my season would come to an end, but our season has been defined by overcoming adversity and responding to it .I can’t express how much this team and organization mean to me and how much I believe in them... We’re not finished, as a matter of fact we’re just getting started. We’re just going to keep climbing higher. Go Broncos."
The Broncos should be contenders in the AFC West if Nix can stay healthy. He has a history of injury with his ankle that is concerning.
Denver won't press Nix to return until the issue taken care of, which should be better for his prospects in the upcoming season.