In a major setback for the Denver Broncos, quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken right ankle late in overtime during their 33-30 divisional playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. The injury will require surgical intervention, as confirmed by Head Coach Sean Payton, effectively ending Nix's participation in the playoffs.
Coach Payton relayed this unfortunate development during a postgame press conference following the Broncos' first playoff win in a decade. Nix was injured on a quarterback keeper play that resulted in a loss of two yards and a tackle by safety Cole Bishop. Despite visibly limping immediately after the play, there were no initial indications of the injury's severity. Remarkably, Nix proceeded to throw a deep pass to Marvin Mims Jr. on the subsequent play, which drew a 30-yard pass interference penalty helping the Broncos advance into field-goal range. He then centered the ball before kicker Wil Lutz successfully executed the game-winning 23-yard field goal.
Payton revealed that Nix is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday in Birmingham, Alabama. Reflecting on Nix's character, the coach described the quarterback as a strong and faith-driven individual. Nix was seen in the hallway with family, engaged in conversations with teammates and coaches, demonstrating his resilience and positive outlook despite the injury.
When informed of Nix's prior history of ankle fractures in high school and at Auburn, Payton remarked humorously that had he known, he might have reconsidered drafting him. However, Nix showed no outward signs of injury during an immediate postgame interview, focusing instead on the team's achievement and upcoming home-field advantage in the playoffs. "It's great to have home-field advantage in a situation like this. It's exciting. This is why you play the game, this is why you compete. You get to playoff football, and good things happen," Nix said.
Following the initial postgame interviews, the reporters were preparing for Nix’s formal press availability when Payton announced the injury details, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the team's focus on overcoming the challenge ahead.
Nix, the 12th overall draft pick from Oregon in 2024, matched Russell Wilson’s NFL record by securing 24 victories in his first two seasons. Saturday marked the quarterback’s first playoff win after leading the Broncos to the AFC’s top seed this year, improving upon last season’s playoff loss to the Bills.
Coach Payton characterized Nix as "a tough cookie" and praised the Denver team for their collective ability to persevere amid multiple injuries throughout the season. With Nix sidelined, backup Jarrett Stidham, who holds a 1-3 record as a starter over six seasons, will assume the starting role in the AFC Championship game scheduled for next weekend.
Despite the setback, the Broncos remain determined to adapt and strive for success as they prepare for the next phase of the postseason.