The Denver Broncos’ thrilling Divisional Round win Saturday came at the cost of starting quarterback Bo Nix.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton broke the news during his postgame press conference that Nix had suffered a fracture in his right ankle. Payton added that Nix is scheduled to have surgery to repair his broken ankle on Tuesday, effectively ending his season a game shy of making the Super Bowl.
Payton said that the injury occurred during the Broncos’ “second-to-the-last play,” referring to when Nix tried to rush for additional yardage before Will Lutz’s game-winning field goal to give Denver a 33-30 victory in overtime.
On the second to last play of overtime, Broncos QB Bo Nix fractured a bone in his right ankle. He is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday in Birmingham, Alabama. “We felt it was best to tell everyone now,” Broncos HC Sean Payton said.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 18, 2026
Nix finished the contest with a 26/46 passing clip for 279 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception. He also led the team with 29 rushing yards on 12 carries.
With Nix out of the lineup, Broncos backup Jarrett Stidham will start in the AFC Championship Game next week against either the New England Patriots or Houston Texans. Stidham is in his third year in the Broncos’ system but has not thrown a pass on an NFL field since 2023.
