Broncos’ Quarterback Bo Nix to Undergo Surgery, Will Miss Rest of Playoffs

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix will miss the remainder of the NFL playoffs after breaking his right ankle late in overtime of the team’s divisional-round win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. The injury was confirmed by Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who said Nix will undergo surgery Tuesday in Birmingham, Alabama.

The second-year quarterback suffered the injury on a keeper that resulted in a two-yard loss and a tackle by safety Cole Bishop. Nix limped after the play, but there were no immediate signs of the severity. On the following play, he completed a deep pass to Marvin Mims Jr., drawing a 30-yard pass-interference penalty that put the Broncos in field-goal range. Nix then took a knee to set up Wil Lutz’s game-winning 23-yard field goal, sealing Denver’s 33-30 victory.

“Stiddy’s ready,” Payton said, referring to backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who will start in the AFC championship game next weekend. Payton described Nix as a resilient player with strong faith, noting that he has previously overcome serious injuries in high school and at Auburn University.

“He’s such a strong, faith-based guy,” Payton said. “He’s sitting in the hallway with his family and we’re all talking to him. He knows that God’s got a plan for him.”

The news came as a shock following Denver’s first playoff victory in a decade. Nix, selected 12th overall in the 2024 NFL draft out of Oregon, tied former quarterback Russell Wilson’s record with 24 wins in his first two NFL seasons. Saturday marked Nix’s first playoff win after a loss to Buffalo last year, and his leadership helped Denver secure the AFC’s top seed this season.

Payton praised Nix’s toughness and leadership, highlighting how the team has dealt with injuries to key players throughout the year. “He’s a tough cookie,” Payton said. “And this team all year has lost key players and will rise up for the next challenge.”

The Broncos now face the challenge of adjusting to Stidham under center as they prepare for the AFC championship. While Nix’s injury is a significant blow, the team’s momentum from the dramatic overtime win may provide a boost as they advance.

The locker room and interview areas were cleared in the immediate aftermath of the game, and Payton personally delivered the update on Nix’s condition to the media, emphasizing both the quarterback’s strength and the team’s readiness to move forward.

With the Broncos heading into the conference championship without their starting quarterback, attention will turn to Stidham’s performance and whether Denver can maintain its playoff run despite the setback.