Broncos Quarterback Bo Nix Returns to Practice After Ankle Surgeries

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix took part in individual drills during the team's first mandatory minicamp practice Tuesday after fracturing his right ankle in January. Nix said the April surgery addressed lingering pain from bone spurs and that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery. He did not participate in team drills but expects to be ready for training camp next month.

Nix fractured his right ankle during a game-winning overtime drive against Buffalo on Jan. 17. He had initial surgery two days later at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. A follow-up procedure in April removed bone spurs that had continued to cause discomfort.

Nix said he could have finished the prior season without the second operation but chose to address the issue while ahead of schedule.

"He's doing well, he's doing really well," Broncos coach Sean Payton said after practice. "He'll clearly be ready in time for training camp. " Nix joked about children at a park asking if his legs were crooked and said he has learned to handle both positive and negative attention that comes with his position.

Nix added that he believes he could have practiced fully this week if medical staff had cleared him. He has rehabbed daily at the Broncos complex and has a history of ankle injuries dating to high school. "[I] felt pretty good, was still having a little bit of an issue with bone spurs," Nix said.