Broncos' Bo Nix Denies Having 'Predisposed' Ankle Condition Before Injury, Talks Return Timeline

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix pushed back on his coach's assertion that he had an underlying ankle issue prior to getting injured in the AFC title game.

"Nothing predisposed, nothing that was there," he told reporters Wednesday. "Might have been some confusion there."

This comes after Broncos coach Sean Payton said doctors discovered a "predisposed" condition when they evaluated Nix's ankle.

"It wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of when," Payton said. "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 wasn't thrilled about the disclosure:

The second-year QB added he hopes to be training again in four to six weeks.

Payton's revelation already raised some questions.

Assuming Nix did have a problem with his ankle, was that not flagged when he went through the usual physicals prior to the NFL draft? Is this a condition that leaves him susceptible to more ankle injuries moving forward?

The latter is especially important to know given Nix's value to the team. He's also extension-eligible after the 2026 season.

Instead, something may have gotten lost in translation when the ankle injury and subsequent surgery was communicated to Payton. Rather than a "predisposed" condition, Nix may have hurt his ankle earlier in the year in a way that made a fracture more likely down the road.

That scenario seems to be the case, according to the Denver Post's Parker Gabriel:

But this is creating a situation where the Broncos' coach and quarterback publicly aren't on the same page.

The story is likely to blow over because there will be plenty for fans to talk about over the course of the offseason.

For now, this qualifies as a bit of an own goal from Payton and might require a follow-up.