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The Denver Broncos snapped a 10-year playoff win drought in a thriller on Saturday, defeating the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime to punch their ticket to the AFC championship game.
After the franchise's greatest game in a decade, the Broncos were dealt a stunning blow.
Head coach Sean Payton announced in his post-game press conference that QB Bo Nix suffered a season-ending injury, throwing a major wrench into Denver's Super Bowl hopes.
Here's what you need to know about Nix's injury and who might be next up for the Broncos.
MORE BO NIX NEWS:
- Breaking down Broncos' QB depth chart behind Bo Nix
- Can the Broncos still win the Super Bowl without Bo Nix?
- Get to know new Broncos QB1, Jarrett Stidham
Bo Nix injury update
Nix broke a bone in his ankle during Saturday's win over the Bills and will miss the remainder of the season, Payton announced. Nix will have surgery.
HC Sean Payton announced that QB Bo Nix fractured a bone in his ankle on the second-to-last play of the game and will miss the rest of the season.
We got your back, 🔟. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/zOGVjxAV5r
Nix didn't miss a snap during the win and spoke to the CBS broadcast on the field as normal after the victory, but Payton said he suffered the injury on second-to-last play of the game. That was a kneel-down for the Broncos, so Payton quickly clarified that he believes the injury occurred on the last play before Tre'Davious White's defensive pass interference penalty, when Nix was tackled near the ankles by Cole Bishop.
Payton didn't initially realize Nix was injured until he congratulated his quarterback on the sideline just before the game-winning field, according to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio. Nix told Payton, "I think something happened to my ankle," and X-rays confirmed a fracture. The Denver Post reported Nix told Payton, "My ankle doesn't feel right."
Jarrett Stidham is Nix's backup and is in line to make his first start in more than two years in the AFC Championship Game. According to Paolantonio, Payton will seek advice from friend Bill Parcells, whose Giants had to play without Phil Simms in Super Bowl 25 and won with Jeff Hostetler at quarterback.
He will face off against second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who shared his thoughts on Nix's injury after the Patriots win against the Texans.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 18, 2026On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Nix posted on Instagram calling his injury “some of the most devastating football news I’ve ever received.” He said he has full confidence in Stidham.
Bo Nix’s message on IG:
Called his injury “some of the most devastating football news I’ve ever received”
“I couldn’t be more confident in Jarrett” pic.twitter.com/EDctysMNCQ
"We're not finished, as a matter of fact we're just getting started," Nix said. "We're just going to keep climbing higher. Go Broncos."
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- Defensive pass interference calls set up Broncos' game-winning kick
- Ja'Quan McMillian wrestles ball from Brandin Cooks for key OT interception
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- Latest injury updates on hospitalized Bills LB Dorian Williams
- Inside Bills hook-and-ladder play that helped set up overtime
How did Bo Nix get injured?
Payton initially said Nix suffered a fracture in his ankle on the second-to-last play of overtime, but that play was a kneel-down. He clarified that the Broncos believe Nix was hurt on the last play before the defensive pass interference call against Tre'Davious White, when Nix ran to his left and was tackled near the ankles by Cole Bishop:
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, 2026Nix did appear to grimace as he walked off the field after the kneel-down:
Bo Nix #broncos
The kneel down was the second to last play of OT, which is what is reported to be when he was injured.
You can see him get hit after kneeling down, appears in pain as he’s walking off the field. Absolutely heart breaking for Nix and Denver. pic.twitter.com/1cqDibGfca
Wil Lutz kicked a game-winning field goal on the next play after the kneel-down, so Nix wasn't needed again.
MORE: Why Broncos passed on Josh Allen in 2018 draft
Who is Bo Nix's backup?
Nix has been backed up by Jarrett Stidham this season, and Stidham will be the starter in the AFC Championship Game, Payton announced. Sam Ehlinger will serve as Stidham's backup.
"[Stidham] is ready. We'll be ready for the next challenge," Payton said Saturday.
The 29-year-old Stidham was a fourth-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2019 and has made four starts across seven NFL seasons for a 1-3 record.
Stidham is one of the NFL's highest-paid backups at $6 million per year despite his lack of in-game experience. His four starts came under similar circumstances, as he started a pair of games for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 after the team shut down Derek Carr due to plans to move on in the offseason, and he replaced Russell Wilson in Denver a year later because the Broncos wanted to move on from Wilson in the offseason.
Stidham's last NFL start came on Jan. 7, 2024 for the Broncos. His next start will come with a chance to advance to the Super Bowl.
MORE: Broncos' huge win over Bills clouded by controversy
How long is Bo Nix out for?
Nix is out for at least the remainder of this season, with the hope that he can be back by Week 1 of 2026.
Per ESPN's Stephania Bell, "Nix will likely be on track to start the 2026 regular season, assuming no complications" since it typically takes 10 to 12 weeks to heal from this type of injury and three to four months to restore full motion and strength.
If everything goes according to plan, Nix should be able to participate in OTAs (Organized Team Activities) in May on a limited basis and be "full go" by the time the Broncos report for camp in late July.
MORE: Bo Nix ankle injury video changed rest of playoffs for Broncos on one play
Broken ankle recovery timeline
For Nix, the recovery from a broken ankle followed by surgery typically follows a 4 to 6-month timeline to return to full football activities.
Most NFL players return to play within 98 days (approximately 3.5 months) of being placed on IR for ankle surgery, though "game-ready" status usually takes the full 5–6 months to regain full explosiveness.
Because his surgery is scheduled for January 20, 2026, he is expected to be fully recovered and ready for the start of the 2026 Training Camp in July.
MORE: How getting rid of Russell Wilson propelled Seahawks, Broncos
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