Bo Nix fracturing his right ankle during last week’s AFC Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills was inevitable, according to Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
During his season-ending press conference on Tuesday, Payton told reporters that Nix has a preexisting ankle condition that made what happened “a matter of when.”
“What was found was a condition that was predisposed — they always find a little more when they go in,” Payton said. “It wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when. When you look at the play and you’re trying to evaluate it — the operating surgeon said that this was going to happen sooner than later. Now, you go about the rehab, proper orthotics, all those things.”
Nix sustained the injury during one of the final plays in the win over the Bills that sent the Broncos to the AFC Championship game.
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Shortly after the game, Payton told reporte about Nix’s injury and that the quarterback would miss the rest of the season.
Nix is expected to be out at least 12 weeks after undergoing surgery. He reportedly will not be allowed to put any weight on his ankle for a month. If he recovers well, the earliest he can begin activity would be right around the 12-week mark.
The Broncos expect Nix to be recovered enough in time for offseason workouts.
“So listen, he’ll rehab his tail off and get ready and get back to being healthy,” Payton said. “I think for someone who runs with the ball, I think he’s done a pretty good job of protecting himself, not all the time, but for the most part, he’s done a pretty good job of sliding and understanding playing for another day.”
As Nix watched on from a suite on Sunday, the Broncos’ season came to an end at the hands of the New England Patriots in a 10-7 defeat. Backup Jarrett Stidham started in Nix’s place throwing for 133 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 31 pass attempts.
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