Broncos fans were on pins and needles, and honestly, who could blame them? After breaking his ankle in a divisional playoff game last season, quarterback Bo Nix finally hit the field Friday night for his first game snaps. The man looked completely healthy, happy, and ready to roll. Any worries about that ankle? They probably just evaporated like morning fog.
The Ankle Scares Are Officially Over
Nix was benched for last week’s preseason opener, and all due respect to artificial turf, it cranked up the anxiety. But the second he took the field, you could see it. His first pass attempt? He had to escape the rush, roll to his right, and fire one to Courtland Sutton. Sutton was out of bounds so it was incomplete, but man, seeing Nix move like that out of the pocket? That’s what mattered. He’d told everyone there were no lingering issues, and he proved it.
New Weapons and Big Throws
The first drive was a showcase. Nix dropped a 35-yard dime over the middle to Jaylen Waddle on third-and-5 to keep things moving. This Waddle guy, who the Broncos traded a first-round pick to the Dolphins for this offseason, is clearly going to be huge for their offense. Nix then capped that drive with a sweet 21-yard touchdown pass on a wheel route to running back RJ Harvey. He stuck around for a second drive, grabbing a field goal, before finishing his night 6 of 9 for 76 yards. Solid, clean, and efficient.
Ready for the Regular Season Grind
Remember how last season ended? Nix breaks his ankle in a divisional playoff win over the Bills. Head coach Sean Payton had to come back to the media room to announce Nix needed surgery and wouldn’t play in the AFC Championship. They lost that AFC title game to the Patriots with Jarrett Stidham at QB, leaving everyone wondering what might have been for that 14-3 team. They’ve got most of those pieces back, but Nix’s health was always the biggest question mark. Now that everyone has seen him looking good in game action, Denver is finally ready for the regular season. What a relief, right?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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