The aftershocks of Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix’s season-ending broken ankle in Saturday’s AFC Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills will be felt for a long time — no matter what happens in next week’s AFC Championship Game in Denver.
The biggest question now facing Nix is when he will be able to resume football activities after surgery on Tuesday in Birmingham, Alabama, and if he will have to miss the start of next season.
From all accounts, when the Broncos take the field in Week 1, Nix should be their starting quarterback.
“In the absence of full detail regarding Nix’s ankle fracture, it is hard to provide specifics about his precise treatment and recovery,” ESPN’s Stephania Bell wrote. “However, Payton saying postgame that Nix will undergo surgery indicates the fracture is unstable and requires implantation of hardware to stabilize it and ensure the bones are in proper alignment. The fact that they could report this immediately after the game indicates the fracture was clearly visible on X-ray without requiring additional imaging. Healing from an ankle fracture repair is approximately 10 to 12 weeks, but restoring full joint range of motion, strength and dynamic function takes approximately three to four months. Given the timeline before training camp resumes, Nix will likely be on track to start the 2026 regular season, assuming no complications.”
Nix appeared to break his ankle scrambling left on the third-to-last play in overtime before Denver kicked a 24-yard field goal for a 33-30 win. Nix still took 2 more snaps after the injury, drawing a critical pass interference call on the Bills on a pass to Courtland Sutton then taking a knee to bring out the field goal unit.
Jarrett Stidham, Nix’s backup the last 2 seasons, will start in the AFC Championship Game against the winner of Sunday’s game between the Houston Texans and New England Patriots.
Nix’s Injury Sends Shockwaves Through NFL
Nix’s injury ends a streak of 36 consecutive starts for the Broncos since he was selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft — every regular season game and 2 playoff games.
Nix was 26-of-46 passing for 276 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception in the win over the Bills.
“Players in NFL HISTORY to have 7500+ pass yards, 750+ rush yards & a playoff win before his 3rd career NFL season: Bo Nix,” Opta Stats’ Greg Harvey wrote on his official X account. “That’s it.”
“This is just completely unprecedented,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on SportsCenter. “To have the No. 1 seed and the AFC Championship Game at home and to be starting a quarterback who hasn’t thrown a pass this season is just unheard of. No one in the NFL has seen anything like this.”
Stidham Making First Start Since 2023 Season
Stidham has been the Broncos’ backup quarterback since 2023, when he backed up Russell Wilson, and Nix’s backup for the last 2 seasons. In 7 NFL seasons with the Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and Broncos, Stidham is 1-3 in 4 starts.
His last extended action was in the Broncos‘ 30-9 preseason opener win over the San Francisco 49ers on August 9 — 14-of-15 passing for 136 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions to go with 3 carries for 36 yards in just 2 quarters.
Broncos Get Injury Timeline Update on QB Bo Nix