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.
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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.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 18, 2026
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.
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.
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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, 2026
Nix did appear to grimace as he walked off the field after the kneel-down:
Bo Nix #broncos
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) January 18, 2026
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.
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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.
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