The timing could not have been worse for Kenny Dillingham.
As the Denver Broncos celebrated a dramatic 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday in the AFC Divisional round, Dillingham fired off a congratulatory post for former quarterback Bo Nix.
“Bo Nix!!!! Couldn’t be happier for him! LETS GOOOO!!!,” Dillingham wrote on X.
I know coach has to be sick over this one. Unfortunately, Bo Nix is out with a broken ankle. Pic.twitter.com/PZdYAwIeWh
— Jeff Hauser (@radiohauser) January 18, 2026
Minutes later, the mood shifted drastically. Broncos coach Sean Payton revealed after the game that Nix fractured a bone in his right ankle on the second-to-last play.
The second-year quarterback is scheduled to undergo surgery Tuesday and will miss the remainder of the postseason. Payton said backup Jarrett Stidham will start next week’s AFC Championship Game.
Nix finished 26 of 46 for 279 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, adding 29 rushing yards on 12 carries in one of the biggest wins of his young NFL career.
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Dillingham’s message quickly drew attention once the injury news surfaced, not because of its content but its unfortunate timing. The Arizona State coach worked closely with Nix during their time together at Oregon, serving as his quarterbacks coach before taking over the program in Tempe. Dillingham has remained one of Nix’s most vocal supporters since his college days.
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The Broncos will host the AFC Championship Game in Denver next weekend, awaiting the winner of Houston and New England. Now with their season resting in Stidham’s hands instead of Nix, who was peaking at the right time.
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