Denver Broncos Briefly: Bo Nix's Ankle Clean-up and Misinformation
Bo Nix's ankle clean-up surgery was likely a small deal and he's still on track to start the 2026 season. But one person in national media used it to spread misinformation.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix's ankle clean-up surgery has left some reaching for doomer misinformation.
Nix broke his ankle in the Divisional Round win over the Bills. It was shocking to the system to hear while still celebrating the massive playoff victory.
The original surgery and check-up was planned, but the news of the clean-up surgery sent some alarm bells. Although Bo Nix is still on track to start the season for the Broncos.
Bo Nix's Ankle Clean-Up Surgery is Hopefully No Big Deal
Some in the local media, like Troy Renck, discussed Bo Nix's ankle clean-up surgery as something to keep an eye on.
As Renck explained in the video linked in this piece, first Sean Payton talked about Nix's ankle injury history, then Nix clarified what was going on. Then, three weeks ago, the Broncos rising star QB was seen walking around The Masters with Drake Maye (ew) and reportedly looked great.
But when doctors went in to check up on his ankle, it turned into a clean-up surgery. Days later, Ian Rapport said the clean-up was planned, which sounded a bit like a team line that was told to him.
Either way, these type of clean-up surgeries are typical for NFL players. Guys usually won't even disclose them because they happen during the offseason. Sometimes they'll mention the clean-up during training camp, or not at all, and it's not really news.
But because this is Bo Nix's first major injury of his career, and because quarterback is the most important position on a football field, it's news.
Then you have Dov Kleiman, a guy who searches through players' Instagram posts for "news" and views on YouTube, posting misinformation on Musk's Nazi site, Twitter.
"Nix might never be the same ever again," Kleiman tweeted.
This was posted on April 29, 2026. Two days ago.
Kleiman's misinformation is a truck load of horseshit.
We have no idea whether or not Nix will be the same again, but the odds are very much in favor of him being the same guy we've seen in two years in the NFL.
Adam Schefter said this was the third time Nix broke his ankle. He recovered just fine after the first two, and at only 26 years old, he should be just fine this time, too.
This is anecdotal evidence, but I rolled my ankle playing beer league softball at the age of 37 and it swelled up just like Nix's. Six weeks later I finally went in for x-rays and it showed the ligaments pulled off the bone, so it was technically fractured. Even at my advanced age, 11 years older than Nix, my ankle ended up healing on its own (after a year). And the swelling went down.
Instead of avoiding the doctor like me, Nix got it immediately checked out and fixed.
And saying that a guy might "never be the same" is doomer B.S. misinformation by one of the biggest jokes in the game, Dov Kleiman.
It's not just misinformation, but as the kids say "ragebait."
Justin Simmons Retires a Bronco
Justin Simmons was a great safety for the Broncos.
He was drafted by the team in 2018 in the 3rd round and played for Denver for his first eight years before finishing his career with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024.
At his height, Simmons was like another cornerback playing safety with his incredible ability to pick off passes.
He enjoyed four straight years of 4-plus interceptions, including leading the league with 6 INTs in 2o22. Simmons' 30 interceptions in Denver put him in a tie for 7th-most in Broncos history with Dennis Smith.
“I think what I’m the most proud of, though, is the adversity that popped up in those eight seasons … it’s hard to get recognized as a player when your team is not doing well,” Simmons said at his retirement presser this week. “It’s a very difficult thing. So I’m proud of the way I was able to fight through some adversity in that aspect. It’s hard when you have a lot going on. It helped me, though. It’s part of my journey and my career. I’m thankful for it.”
Rich Kurtzman
Garett Bolles Changes a Flat Tire
Hey, it's the offseason. News is slow.
But Broncos star offensive tackle decided to lend a helping hand to someone this week. He fixed their flat tire and taught them how to do it for next time.
Just a guess, but this looks like it happened on I-25, probably north of Denver (but could be south).
Either way, it's a bit risky situation for anyone to change a flat on the side of the highway and it was really nice of Bolles to do it for this young person.
Millennials helping out Gen Z, you have to love it.
PS: I was laid off from my full-time job this week. If you can, please leave a tip of any amount or sign up for a paid subscription to help support my family.
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Rich Kurtzman was born and raised in Denver Colorado and attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins in the aughts. He's been a professional writer since 2011, covering Colorado State football and men's basketball, as well as the Denver Broncos, for many outlets. Current Denver Broncos work can be found on Mile High Sports. Previous credits include CBS Denver and The USA TODAY Sports Media Group.
Pro Football Reference Links
Bo Nix, Garett Bolles, Justin Simmons
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