ENGLEWOOD — Broncos quarterback Bo Nix will not play in the preseason opener Friday against the Falcons.

Coach Sean Payton explained the decision after Wednesday practice at Broncos Park.

“He wants to play, and he’ll play the next two (preseason) weeks,” Payton said. “I think that was probably something that was already decided maybe like a month ago. But if we were playing a (regular-season) game, I would say that he would play and probably … 100%.”

Nix underwent two surgeries to repair a fractured ankle he suffered in the AFC divisional round playoff win over the Bills. Nix has been a full participant in training camp.

“He’s doing well,” Payton said. “I’m sure there is scar tissue in certain parts of it. He’s right where we were hoping he’d be.”

The Broncos will split two halves against the Falcons with reserve quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger competing for the backup role. Nix is expected to still join the team in Atlanta.

“They’re focused on their best stuff, and they’re competing against the 31 other quarterbacks, no different than the other positions,” Payton said regarding Stidham and Ehlinger. “So, it’s a great room. Those guys get along well. It’ll be good to get them some real game experience and see how they’re doing.”

Payton added he is expecting other starters to “play around 15 plays” against the Falcons. That includes outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper, who faces several domestic violence charges stemming from two arrests in June. Injured players will remain back in Denver.

“You’re trying to win. You’re trying to win everything. I just believe in that,” Payton said. “You’re trying to build something where everything’s competitive (and) everything matters.”

Deiter injury

Reserve offensive lineman Michael Deiter suffered a season-ending injury in Tuesday practice, Payton confirmed. Deiter was carted off the field at Broncos Park in training camp.

“It’s going to be a season-ending injury,” Payton said after Wednesday practice. “It’s his quad. I don’t have the specifics, but it’s going to require surgery. I feel bad for him and where he was at.”

Deiter filled in at first-team center in practice recently with injuries to starter Luke Wattenberg and reserve Alex Forsyth.

Elliss role

After briefly flirting with the idea of moving him to inside linebacker, Payton and the Broncos coaching staff have decided it would be wise to keep Jonah Elliss on the outside where his skills are best utilized. A big reason for that has been his strong camp, one he credits to his offseason and the people around him.

“Just the work I put in, Elliss said. “The coaches have spent time with me, a little extra time, talking about what I needed to improve on and areas I needed to grow. Our coaching staff is elite, and they do a great job in developing us and allowing us to play to our best potential. I really give credit to the coaches and how they coach us and the way we play.”

O-line continuity

The Broncos return the same starting offensive line for a third consecutive year. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey explained how that impacts their preparation for the season under offensive run-game coordinator Zach Strief.

“We obviously know each other very well. Strief has coached us all for a long time now,” McGlinchey said. “The things that we need to improve on, and the things that we’ve decided that we want to do differently, have all been huge focal points for this training camp. … It’s a really cool deal. Every day all we’re trying to do is get better. That’s the cool thing about our group.”

Briefly

The following players were absent Wednesday from a walk-through practice: tight end Caleb Lohner, wide receiver Michael Bandy and Deiter. … The following players worked out on the side field during practice: wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, wide receiver Marvin Mims, tight end Nate Adkins, center Alex Forsyth, Wattenberg, linebacker Jordan Turner, linebacker Dasan McCullough and offensive lineman Alex Palczewski. … The Broncos worked out veteran safety Taylor Rapp on Wednesday, according to the NFL’s transactions wire. Rapp has appeared in 93 career NFL games over seven seasons.