Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix played through a broken bone in his back in the latter part of his stellar rookie season.
Nix sustained a transverse process fracture in his back during the first half of a game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 24. He finished the game and played the following week through pain against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 2, a Monday night affair.
Nix told reporters on Monday that he had three fractures.
“That week, got treatment, made it through that week. Monday Night Football was a stretch where we were all kind of banged up,” Nix said. “And I wasn’t going to miss the first Monday night game (of my career). I got treatment on it and then we were fortunate to have a (bye) week the next week and it kind of went away after that.
“That moment was annoying, but we all play with something.”
Despite the injury, Nix passed for 294 yards, including a 93-yard scoring pass to Marvin Mims Jr. during a 41-32 home victory.
Nix guided the Broncos to the postseason for the first time since the 2015 season. Denver’s season ended with a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wild-card round on Sunday.
“This has been a good run. We started where we were, and to be where we are now, play an extra week of football, an opportunity to play in the playoffs, it’s exciting and it’s an exciting time to be in Denver right now,” Nix said. “I love this team and will always appreciate what they did for me as a rookie coming in and learning the NFL. It was an honor to play with those guys each week.”
Nix was chosen No. 12 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the sixth quarterback chosen in the first round, and beat out Jarrett Stidham for the starting job during training camp. He passed for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 430 yards and four scores.
Nix also earned points with the veterans by displaying leadership beyond his years.
“I’ve said it over and over again, I’ve been impressed every single week,” said right guard Quinn Meinerz, who earned first-team All-Pro honors this season. “He continued to show improvement, and I think that’s the only thing you can really ask for from a young player. Players at any position are trying to improve. I’m excited for him.
“That rookie year is kind of tough. You have your college season, you have the pre-draft stuff, you have combine training and then you go through an NFL season. I’m excited for him to get some time off. That’s what he needs right now is to get some time off to reset a little bit because the next season will be here quickly.”
–Field Level Media
