ENGLEWOOD — The next time Broncos Country will see quarterback Bo Nix on a field is likely on “Monday Night Football.”

The Broncos host the Vikings on Friday night at Empower Field in the preseason finale. Coach Sean Payton said after Wednesday practice that Nix “probably won’t play” against Minnesota as the team determines expected snap counts. Payton would not speculate on the availability of other starters.

The absence of Nix magnifies the competition at backup quarterback. Payton said Wednesday neither Jarrett Stidham nor Sam Ehlinger has officially won the job. Stidham returns after being the primary backup for two seasons in Denver. Ehlinger turned down active NFL roster offers last year in favor of the practice squad in Denver.

It is also unclear if the Broncos will keep two or three quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster with the cutdown deadline Sunday afternoon.

“If there were eight roster questions, that’s one of the eight when you’re building your roster,” Payton said.

Several Broncos have limited preseason work, including linebacker Drew Sanders, making it difficult to evaluate their place on the roster. Sanders registered a sack in the preseason opener against the Falcons. He missed the next two games due to an unspecified injury.

“There’s a few guys like that, right? (Wide receiver) Michael Bandy,” Payton said. “Every camp, and you can’t control it, but there’s some players that just haven’t gotten the amount of reps maybe you’d like.”

The Broncos are still awaiting the NFL’s decision regarding outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper. He faces a possible suspension after being arrested on domestic violence charges in June. Cooper has played in both preseason games. He has an arraignment scheduled Monday.

“You always want clarity,” Payton said. “But I think we’ll find out soon, and you’ll find out probably right when I do.”

The third preseason game is the last chance for so-called “bubble” players to make an impression. Payton said NFL teams will sometimes avoid using certain players, so if they’re cut, it is more likely they are not claimed on waivers by another team. The Broncos will also do their homework on available players.

Wide receiver Courtland Sutton shared his message with teammates on the roster bubble.

“Every day is an opportunity to go out there and put something good on film,” Sutton said. “Whether it’s practice (or) preseason games. … You’re auditioning for 31 other teams. You literally never know when an opportunity will arise. I think we had a couple of guys last year that didn’t make the team here, from our room, that got picked up in other programs.”

The Broncos open the regular season on the road Sept. 14 against the Chiefs.