Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo on Broncos QB Bo Nix: “They got themselves a good one”

Rookie quarterbacks have won just one game against the Chiefs since 2019. Despite Kansas City’s success against first-year signal callers, the unit is not taking Bo Nix for granted.

“It’s another athletic quarterback,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo told reporters in Kanas City on Thursday. “I think those guys are always headaches because there are certain things you can and can’t do because you’re afraid that he’s going to make you look bad with his feet. …They got themselves a good one.”

Nix has caught defenses off-guard with speed quite a bit this season. He has totaled 58 carries for 295 yards — fifth-most among quarterbacks — and four touchdowns. Nix has had 27 rushing attempts result in a first down — tied for 18th among any player and third at his position.

Spagnuolo mentioned that Nix has looked more comfortable each week. Nix, who was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Month, has totaled 1,093 passing yards, seven touchdowns and two picks in his last five games.

“Boy, for a rookie, he has a command,” Spagnuolo said. “I watched. I went back and watched the first game he played in, and I thought Sean (Payton) had him doing things that, you know, sometimes you say, ‘Do you have a rookie do it in the first game that he plays?’ But yet, there he is doing it.”

Locke trending toward playing on Sunday: Broncos safety P.J. Locke nears his return to game action. Locke (thumb) was a full participant in practice Thursday for the second straight day, increasing his odds of playing against Kansas City after missing the last two games.

Center Luke Wattenberg (ankle), safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee), defensive end Zach Allen (rest), right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) and nose tackle D.J. Jones (knee) also were full participants. Linebacker Drew Sanders was limited.

Good problem to have at center: With Wattenberg returning to full strength, Denver might have a difficult decision about how to handle the starting center spot between him and second-year lineman Alex Forsyth.

For offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, that’s a good problem to have.

“Depth is always good,” Lombardi said. “We have a lot of confidence in both of those guys.”

Wattenberg was placed on the injured reserve and missed the last four games after sustaining an ankle injury in Denver’s victory over the Raiders. Forsyth, a seventh-round pick in 2023, has stepped up in the starter role and has been effective.

“(Forsyth has) played well,” Lombardi said. “He’s controlled the line of scrimmage and everyone is confident in his calls.”

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