Bo Nix won’t be on the field when the Broncos open their preseason Friday night against the Falcons, but Sean Payton says the rookie quarterback’s debut is only being delayed.
Payton said Nix will sit out the opener and then play in Denver’s next two preseason games as he continues working back from the broken ankle he suffered in last season’s playoff win over the Buffalo Bills.
“He’ll play the next two weeks,” Payton said of Nix, via Romi Bean of CBS News Colorado. “So I think that was probably something that was already decided maybe like a month ago.
But if we were playing a (regular-season) game, I would say he would play. And probably - you’d have to ask him, but I would say 100%.”
With Nix sidelined Friday, Jarrett Stidham is set to handle the first half before Sam Ehlinger takes over in the second. Stidham, the eighth-year pro, also started last season’s AFC championship game loss to New England in Nix’s place.
Payton also said the Broncos’ other starters should see about 15 snaps against Atlanta. That group includes wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, acquired from the Miami Dolphins in an offseason trade, and veteran All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain, a pair of former Alabama standouts.
Atlanta, meanwhile, said Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa will start at quarterback Friday. Michael Penix remains out while he recovers from a late-season knee injury and has not yet been cleared for contact.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Central in Atlanta, with Denver’s next preseason game coming Aug. 21 at home against Green Bay.
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