Broncos Face Falcons in Preseason Opener Without Bo Nix

The Denver Broncos will take on the Atlanta Falcons in their preseason opener on Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. However, head coach Sean Payton confirmed on Wednesday that franchise quarterback Bo Nix will not participate. Payton stated, “Expecting our starters to play around 15 plays. Bo won’t play in this game. He’ll play next week.”

Nix underwent surgery on his right ankle during the offseason. This injury sidelined him for the AFC Championship Game, a contest the Broncos lost. The decision to rest Nix reflects a cautious approach, especially with this being the first preseason matchup.

In Nix’s absence, the focus shifts to a key positional battle at Broncos’ training camp: the competition for the backup quarterback position. As Nix is expected to see more action in the upcoming two preseason games, Friday’s game against Atlanta presents a significant chance for Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger to prove themselves. Payton disclosed after Wednesday’s practice that each quarterback will play one half, with Stidham starting.

“The backup QB role is crucial for contenders, and it’s especially true for Denver.”

Last season, Nix led the Broncos to a 14-3 record, securing the AFC’s top seed. They seemed poised for their first Super Bowl appearance since 2015, until Nix’s ankle injury in the divisional-round victory over Buffalo. This injury kept him out of the AFC Championship Game, where Stidham stepped in but struggled. Stidham completed 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception, and losing a fumble.

If Nix had stayed healthy or if Denver had a seasoned backup, the Broncos might have won that game and potentially the Super Bowl. For this season, Denver has retained 20 of their 22 starters on both offense and defense, building a roster capable of matching or even surpassing last year’s achievements. However, another injury to Nix could challenge the team, underscoring the importance of finalizing the backup quarterback role before the start of the season.