The Denver Broncos won their preseason opener 27-7 over the Atlanta Falcons last week, but the bigger roster news was who did not play. Fourteen players sat out the game, according to Yahoo Sports, including quarterback Bo Nix, who is still working back from a broken ankle he suffered in January.
Nix is expected to return to action in Denver's next two preseason games, both at home at Empower Field at Mile High, where the surface is natural grass. The Broncos host the Green Bay Packers on August 21 and the Minnesota Vikings on August 28 to close out the preseason schedule.
The list of players who did not suit up against Atlanta was long. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle sat out with a strain. Wide receiver Marvin Mims, running back J.K. Dobbins, tight end Nate Adkins, center Alex Forsyth, linebacker Jordan Turner, outside linebacker Dasan McCullough, centers Luke Wattenberg and Lecitus Smith, offensive lineman Alex Palczewski, wide receiver Michael Bandy, and tight end Caleb Lohner also did not play. Guard Nick Gargiulo was listed on the physically unable to perform list.
Lecitus Smith had signed with the team just the day before the game on Thursday and was not available.
Despite the absences, Denver won by 20 points. The result gives the team momentum heading into the two remaining exhibition games. After the Vikings game on August 28, the Broncos will finalize their 53-man roster as the regular season approaches.
Nix's return will be the most closely watched development over the next two weeks. The second-year quarterback started all 17 games in his rookie season before suffering the ankle injury late in the year.
