Broncos Lose Bo Nix to Injury Before AFC Title Game

Denver quarterback Bo Nix will miss the rest of the postseason after suffering a broken ankle in Saturday’s dramatic 33–30 overtime win against the Buffalo Bills, according to head coach Sean Payton (via team media availability).

Payton told reporters that the injury happened on the “second-to-last” snap of overtime.
Nix was hurt on a quarterback sweep to the left that lost two yards, per Payton’s description.

The rookie quarterback is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday in Birmingham, Alabama, to repair the ankle. Payton confirmed this timeline during his postgame comments.

With Nix out, veteran backup Jarrett Stidham will step in for the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 25 in Denver. Stidham and the Broncos will face the New England Patriots, who knocked out the Houston Texans on Sunday.

“Stiddy’s ready to go,” Payton told reporters after revealing Nix’s status.
Payton also said he has believed since the start of the season that Stidham could start for “a number of teams,” citing his confidence in the seven-year veteran.

Sam Ehlinger is expected to serve as Stidham’s backup moving forward, per Payton’s update.

The injury news came nearly 40 minutes after Payton’s first postgame availability, surprising many reporters on-site. Nix did not appear at the podium after the win.

Payton praised his injured starter, calling Nix “a tough cookie.” The coach said he told Nix that he is only the second quarterback in his second NFL season to lead a team to a Championship Game, noting Patrick Mahomes as the first (per Payton).

Denver’s locker room has dealt with major injuries all season, according to Payton.
He added that the team will “rise up for the next challenge” with a Super Bowl spot on the line.

The setback puts a cloud over what many fans consider Denver’s biggest win in a decade. Nix completed 26 of 46 passes for 279 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, according to official game stats. He also led go-ahead drives late in the fourth quarter and again in overtime to secure the victory.

Denver will host its first AFC Championship Game next Sunday. However, it will do so without the quarterback who has powered its offense all year.

Nix has started all 36 of Denver’s games since being selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, including playoff appearances, per league records.

Stidham, meanwhile, has barely played in 2025. He logged only four snaps in a Week 8 win over Dallas, according to team participation reports. His last meaningful action came in 2023 when he started two games while Russell Wilson was sidelined.

Denver’s defense ranks among the league’s best, but Nix has been the spark for Sean Payton’s offense. Payton made it clear that the locker room will feel the emotional hit before refocusing for the Patriots.

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