The Denver Broncos won a playoff game for the first time since Super Bowl 50 in their 33-30 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills.
However, they Broncos also suffered a brutal loss during the contest. Starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered an injury that will sideline him for the remainder of Denver’s playoff run.
Nix has started the last 36 games consecutively for the Broncos dating back to his rookie season. His absence will leave Denver leaning on its backup quarterback, who has played just 18 combined snaps over the last two seasons and hasn’t thrown a pass since 2023.
Here’s what to know about Nix’s injury and when Broncos fans can expect him back on the field.
Is Bo Nix out for the season?
Yes, Nix is out for remainder of the NFL playoffs after fracturing his ankle in Denver’s 33-30 win over Buffalo in the divisional round, as Broncos coach Sean Payton announced during his postgame news conference.
‘On the second-to-last play in overtime, Bo fractured a bone in his right ankle,’ Payton told reporters. ‘He’s scheduled to have surgery Tuesday of this week to put him out for the rest of the season.’
Payton’s announcement was a surprise, as Nix was able to finish the overtime period despite his injury. He completed 26 of 46 passes for 279 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while leading the Broncos with 12 carries and 29 rushing yards.
How did Bo Nix break his ankle?
Payton originally said Nix fractured his ankle on the second-to-last play of overtime. However, the 62-year-old coach later clarified the injury occurred on Nix’s rushing attempt the play before Marvin Mims Jr. drew a critical, 30-yard pass interference call against Tre’Davious White.
On the play in question, the Broncos attempted a sweep play to the left with Nix. Bills safety Cole Bishop was able to get into the backfield untouched and brought the second-year quarterback down behind the line of scrimmage with an ankle tackle.
Nix was able to get up after the play but appeared slightly hobbled after the tackle. He remained in the game despite the injury, playing the Broncos’ final two offensive snaps before Wil Lutz trotted out and made the game-winning, 23-yard field goal to send the Broncos to the AFC championship game.
Bo Nix injury video
Below is a full look at the play on which Nix was injured, per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
How long is Bo Nix out?
Nix is out for the remainder of the Broncos’ season, but Denver hasn’t yet provided a concrete timeline for his return to action.
The Broncos may provide more information about Nix’s recovery following his surgery, which Payton said was scheduled to take place in Alabama on Tuesday.
Who is Bo Nix’s backup?
Stidham, 29, is a seven-year veteran who was elected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He has a 1-3 career record as a starter and has completed 59.4% of his passes for 1,422 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interception across limited time with the Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and Broncos.
Stidham last attempted a pass during the 2023 NFL season, when he went 1-1 across two starts with the Broncos and completed 60.6% of his passes for 496 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Despite his lack of recent experience, Payton remains confident the veteran can fill in effectively for Nix.
‘He’s ready,’ Payton said of Stidham shortly after announcing Nix’s injury. ‘I said this at the beginning of the season, I feel like I’ve got a [No. 2 quarterback] that’s capable of starting for a number of teams, and I know he feels the same way. So, watch out. Just watch. He’s experienced, he’s played in games.’
Broncos QB depth chart
The Broncos originally had just two healthy quarterbacks remaining in their organization after Nix’s injury. They are set to ink a third to a practice-squad contract to ensure they have depth at the position as they look to make a Super Bowl run without their starting quarterback.
Below is a look at the pecking order within Denver’s new-look quarterback room:
- Jarrett Stidham
- Sam Ehlinger
- Ben DiNucci (practice squad)
Ehlinger is in his first season with the Broncos after spending his first four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. The 27-year-old last attempted a pass in 2022, when he started three games, going 0-3 and completing 63.4% of his passes for 573 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Meanwhile, DiNucci is reportedly joining Denver’s practice squad after Nix’s injury. The 29-year-old was a seventh-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2020 NFL Draft and made one start for the team that season while completing 53.5% of his passes for 212 yards across three appearances.
DiNucci spent the 2023 NFL season on Denver’s practice squad but hasn’t attempted a pass in regular-season or postseason NFL action since the 2020 season.