Bo Nix injury creates brutal test as Broncos chase historic deep run in a decade

The Denver Broncos advanced past the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round, but the victory quickly turned somber. Quarterback Bo Nix suffered a serious ankle injury late in the game, an outcome that reshaped the mood inside the locker room and altered Denver’s postseason outlook.

Surgery was scheduled for Tuesday, and the procedure went as planned, offering reassurance even as the team prepared for the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots.

Confirmation of Nix’s condition came through teammate Sam Ehlinger, who shared that he and his wife visited Nix after he returned from Birmingham following surgery. According to Ehlinger, the quarterback was upbeat and handling the situation well, a positive sign amid difficult circumstances.

Nix later addressed supporters himself through an emotional Instagram post, calling the diagnosis “some of the most devastating football news” of his career while emphasizing the resilience that defined Denver’s season.

The injury closed the door on what had been Nix’s most significant stretch as a pro. Denver was enjoying its strongest year in ten seasons, snapping a long playoff drought and earning its first postseason win since Super Bowl 50 against Carolina.

Head coach Sean Payton later confirmed that Nix had broken his ankle, ruling him out for the remainder of the playoffs. That decision left the Broncos committed to backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham if they advance.

Nix’s performance against Buffalo underscored his toughness. Despite a spiral fibula fracture suffered on the second-to-last play of overtime, he finished the game with 279 passing yards and three touchdowns, extending a streak of 36 consecutive starts and solidifying his role in Denver’s revival.

Broncos lean on depth, defense as postseason stakes rise

With Nix sidelined, Denver’s championship hopes now rest on Stidham and a roster built to survive instability at quarterback. The Broncos are not structured around one player, relying instead on a strong defense and complementary offensive pieces.

If Stidham limits mistakes and capitalizes on select opportunities, Denver can remain competitive, particularly against a Patriots team that finished 4-13 last season.

The emotional weight of Nix’s injury resonated across the league. Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who endured a similar setback in 2016 after a 12-3 start, expressed sympathy on the “Home Grown” podcast.

“My heart … absolutely just broke because I know that feeling,” Carr said, reflecting on how quickly a promising season can end. He later added that Denver’s defense remains capable of winning a Super Bowl.

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who coached Stidham in both New England and Las Vegas, offered a measured assessment of the replacement quarterback, describing him as “Smart, accurate, great human being,” and confident he would be ready for the challenge.

For now, the Broncos move forward without their starter, aware that their deepest run in a decade will demand composure, discipline, and belief from everyone else.

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