The Denver Broncos have lost starting quarterback Bo Nix for the rest of the playoffs after a seemingly routine play in overtime.
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Head coach Sean Payton informed media members late Saturday night that Nix had broken his ankle during overtime of a 33-30 divisional round win over the Buffalo Bills. He said that injury occurred on the second-to-last play, a quarterback sweep to the left side of the line.
The replay showed Nix take the snap from the shotgun position and then run to the left. Bills safety Cole Bishop then tackled him for a 2-yard loss. The Broncos' quarterback hopped up immediately and walked away without any apparent injury.
Dr. Norman Waldrop, an orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham, will perform the surgery on Nix's ankle this week as the Broncos prepare for the AFC championship. Dr. Waldrop also operated on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's turf toe earlier this season.
Here’s the play on which Broncos coach Sean Payton said QB Bo Nix suffered a broken bone in his ankle that will require surgery and end his season, pressing Jarrett Stidham into the lineup for next week’s AFC Championship Game. pic.twitter.com/2QvotSfmJR
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 18, 2026
"He's a tough cookie," Payton said about Nix, per the team's website. "I said (to him), 'Listen, I believe you're the second quarterback in Year 2 to take your team to a championship game. And the first is (Patrick) Mahomes.' This team, all year, has lost key players. We'll rise up for the next challenge, and we'll go from there."
Nix ends his second season with a 14-3 record and a 2-0 record in the playoffs. He became only the second quarterback in franchise history to throw three touchdowns in a playoff win. John Elway is the only other player on this list.
With Nix out for the rest of the playoffs, the Broncos will turn to a veteran for the AFC championship. Jarrett Stidham will make his first start since the 2023 season when he went 1-1 for the Broncos.
Sam Ehlinger will serve as the backup as the Broncos try to win the one game standing between them and another Super Bowl appearance. The Broncos will host the winner of the Texans-Patriots divisional round game (3 p.m. ET on ESPN).
"He's ready," Payton said about Stidham. "I said this at the beginning of the season, I feel like I've got a (No. 2 quarterback) that's capable of starting for a number of teams, and I know he feels the same way.
"Watch out. Just watch. He's experienced, he's played in games. They're different type players to some degree."
