Broncos’ Bo Nix Out For Rest Of Playoffs After Suffering Season-Ending Fractured Ankle Against Bills

A celebratory night for the Broncos turned ugly real quick.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix will be sidelined for the rest of the postseason after sustaining a fractured ankle during overtime of Saturday’s dramatic 33-30 victory against the Buffalo Bills, head coach Sean Payton announced.

According to Payton, the injury occurred on the second-to-last play of the contest. (RELATED: Josh Allen Shows Up To Postgame Press Conference In Tears After Bills’ Devastating Playoff Loss Against Broncos)

With Nix out, the team will turn to backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham to lead the offense moving forward in the playoffs.

“[Stidham] is ready,” said Payton. “We’ll be ready for the next challenge.”

Stidham, now in his third year with the Broncos and sixth season in the NFL overall, has seen limited action this year, appearing in just one game and not throwing a single pass since the 2023 season.

“We felt like it’d be best to just tell everyone now.”

Sean Payton announced Bo Nix fractured a bone in his right ankle and will miss the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/Tgwy3ZiPCB

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 18, 2026

Whether it’s facing Drake Maye (New England Patriots) or C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans), Stidham will be under immediate pressure to match the production of two of the league’s most dynamic young passers.

Expect Sean Payton to lean heavily on one of the league’s top-tier defenses and his running game. With Nix out, the “hero ball” moments Denver relied on during their seven game-winning drives this season will need to be replaced by a more conservative, ball-control approach to protect Stidham.

And quite frankly, I have to say, if it’s the Patriots the Broncos play against, this sets up New England nicely for the start of another dynasty.