Broncos HC Sean Payton reveals why Bo Nix ankle injury was inevitable

Denver Broncos starting quarterback Bo Nix was unable to play in the club's 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game due to a broken bone in his right ankle that he suffered late in Denver's 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. 

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Broncos head coach Sean Payton revealed that Nix going down with such a setback was inevitable. 

Why Bo Nix ankle injury was a matter of when

"What was found was a condition that was predisposed — they always find a little more when they go in," Payton said about what doctors discovered during Nix's ankle surgery, per Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. "It wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when. When you look at the play, and you’re trying to evaluate it — the operating surgeon said that this was going to happen sooner than later. Now, you go about the rehab, proper orthotics, all those things."

With Nix sidelined, backup Jarrett Stidham received the nod versus the Patriots. In total, Stidham completed 17-of-31 passes for 133 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the loss. Before the game against New England, the 2019 fourth-round draft pick had made just four career regular-season starts, the last of which occurred in January 2024. 

Are Broncos concerned about Bo Nix's long-term health?

Broncos general manager George Paton shared that Nix is on track to be cleared for football activities at some point in May, when Denver will be in the middle of organized team activities. Nix has a worrisome history of ankle issues going back to high school, but Payton said that he and others within the organization aren't concerned about the signal-caller's long-term availability.

"So listen, he'll rehab his tail off and get ready and get back to being healthy," Payton added, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "I think for someone who runs with the ball, I think he's done a pretty good job of protecting himself, not all the time, but for the most part, he's done a pretty good job of sliding and understanding playing for another day."