Bo Nix Set for Preseason Debut Friday, 216 Days After Ankle Break
Nix returns against the Packers after two surgeries — and hears new OC Davis Webb in his helmet for the first time. Here's what it means for your draft board.
Healthy return locks in QB2 value; no reason to slide him on your board.
- 216 days since Nix last played (divisional round)
- Two ankle surgeries: Jan. 20 and late April
- Sat out preseason opener on the turf in Atlanta
- Our NFL rank: QB11, No. 22 overall
- 299 PPR points across 17 games in 2025
Bo Nix will play his first football in 216 days on Friday night, taking the field against the Packers after the Broncos held him out of the preseason opener. The last time he suited up, he broke his right ankle in the divisional playoff — a break that required two surgeries, one on Jan. 20 and a clean-up procedure in late April.
The debut carries a second storyline: it's the first time offensive coordinator Davis Webb will call the plays with Nix in the huddle. Webb offered a memorable read on where his quarterback stands with the new system, saying some concepts are like a familiar children's book Nix knows cold, while others still read like a dense chapter of a fantasy novel. Translation: expect Webb to feed him a few in-game reminders while the two build chemistry.
Nix, for his part, said he's fired up to get the pads on at home in front of Denver's fans, calling it something new to get used to. Webb noticed how deflated Nix looked sitting out last week — which tells you the ankle isn't holding him back mentally, and the team clearly wanted the turf out of the equation before turning him loose.
The Fantasy Fallout
For managers, this is exactly the news you wanted. Nix finished 2025 with 3,931 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 picks, plus 356 rushing yards and 5 scores on the ground — good for 299 PPR points across a full 17-game slate. That rushing floor is what makes him worth drafting, and a Friday preseason appearance signals he's on track to open Week 1 without restrictions.
He lands at QB11 (No. 22 overall) in our current rankings, squarely in the late-QB2 range where the smart move is to wait and grab him after the position runs. The one variable to monitor is the Webb transition — a brand-new play-caller can dent early-season efficiency until the timing clicks, and that's a real reason not to reach a round early.
Bottom line: hold your spot and take Nix as your QB2 or a streamable QB1 with rushing upside. There's no injury red flag here — just watch how clean the offense looks Friday and through the rest of camp before you decide whether to lean on him in Week 1.
