ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Bo Nix broke out one of those crooked, wry smiles of his.
It was suggested he has rushing statistics that compare favorably to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is considered right there with Michael Vick, Randall Cunningham and Bobby Douglass as the best running quarterbacks to ever play the game.
And many would say Lamar is No. 1. Bo Nix would say Lamar is No. 1. Even if there was a two-week stretch this season where Nix rushed for 136 yards while Jackson had 92, the Broncos’ rookie quarterback laughed off the comparison as if saying, ‘Let’s not go there.’
“If I tried to do what Lamar would do I wouldn’t be here, because he’s special when it comes to not only running the ball — he’s well known for his explosive runs but he’s a full qualified quarterback in the pocket and he does some really good things with his arm,’’ Nix said. “I think he’s underrated when it comes to throwing the ball but it’s going to be fun seeing him. I’ve never met him. It’s going to be fun being around him, watching him in person for I guess the second time. I watched him play Clemson when I was in high school, I went and watched the Clemson game and he was electric in that one, too.”
While playing for Louisville, Jackson as a sophomore in 2016 passed for 295 yards and a touchdown and ran for 162 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-36 loss to Clemson, who won the National Championship that year. Jackson won the Heisman Trophy that year.
“I’m excited to play against him on the same level,’’ Nix said. “It’s still crazy I get to play against these guys, growing up, watching him, two-time MVP, he’s been doing it for a few years now at a high level. But I definitively don’t want to be compared to him at running the ball because I’m not quite there.”
Nix was also asked Wednesday at his weekly QB press conference whether the game against the 5-3 Ravens this Sunday is a measuring stick for the 5-3 Broncos, who haven’t been to the postseason since 2015 and are exceeding expectations through the first half of this season.
“No, I don’t think so,’’ said Nix, who is coming off his best game as a pro with a three touchdown, 284-yard passing performance in a 28-14 win against Carolina. “I think it’s just one of those games that’s going to be real important for the outcome of both of our seasons. … Ultimately the game’s pretty big and has got a lot going into it.”
Most of the national media have already proclaimed Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels as the cinch Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he may have to continue playing well with the way Nix has been coming on. Nix does watch Daniels and Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams, but they don’t grab all his attention.
“I don’t have a choice because those guys are all over video throughout the week,’’ Nix said. “I’m definitely intrigued with other quarterbacks around the league. Not only the young guys but the vets that have been doing it for a while. I really enjoy preparing for games because I get to watch countless guys around the league that have played at high levels. Some that are older and some that have been doing it for a long time and then others like Jayden and Caleb and others that are just now doing it for the first time. It’s fun to see all of our growth and it’s fun to watch other guys.”
Bronco Bits
Starting safety P.J. Locke (left thumb) and right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) didn’t practice Wednesday. Locke missed Sunday’s game against Carolina with the injury and it would be a surprise if he plays this week at Baltimore. Alex Palczewski, who replaced McGlinchey for two games earlier this season, has overcome his high ankle sprain enough to be a full participant in practice.
Dellarin Turner-Yell, a safety who played in every game last season until he suffered a torn ACL in week 17 against the Chargers, practiced Wednesday for the first time since the injury. The Broncos now have 21 days to activate Turner-Yell on their 53-man roster.
Outside linebacker Drew Sanders, who tore his Achilles near the start of the Broncos’ offseason conditioning program in mid-April, may not far behind Turner-Yell in returning. Sanders could be within a week or two of practicing.
