Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws during the fourth quarter of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Broncos get horrible Bo Nix injury news following playoff win

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jan 18, 2026 9:02 AM ET

The celebration for the Denver Broncos following their 33-30 playoff win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday ended up being very short-lived. It had nothing to do with the outcome of the game on the scoreboard and everything to do with the status of starting quarterback Bo Nix.

Bo Nix suffers season-ending injury in playoff win

Shortly after the Broncos' win, head coach Sean Payton announced that Nix suffered a broken ankle in the win and is going to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

That means backup Jarrett Stidham will start next Sunday's AFC Championship Game with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

Nix ended up playing the entire game on Saturday, completing 26-of-46 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran a team-leading 12 times.

Nix was injured on the second-to-last play of overtime.

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.

We got your back, . pic.twitter.com/zOGVjxAV5r
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 18, 2026

The good news for the Broncos is the probably already beat their toughest AFC competition in Josh Allen.

They also have an outstanding defense and will be at home for the AFC Championship Game.

Those factors together should at least give them a fighting chance. But it is still a less-than-ideal situation to have to go into the biggest game of the season without your starting quarterback.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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