Broncos QB Bo Nix Gets Massive Injury Update Ahead Of AFC Championship Game

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix received a clear and sobering injury update just days before the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.

According to ESPN, doctors expect Nix to miss about 12 weeks after having surgery on his broken right ankle last week. That means there is no chance he could return for the Super Bowl on Feb. 8, even if Denver makes it.

Nix will not play Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Doctors also told him to stay off his feet during the game. He plans to watch from a suite with other injured Broncos while Jarrett Stidham starts at quarterback.

Long Road Back For Bo Nix

Doctors told ESPN that the recovery will be harder for Bo Nix than the surgery itself. He cannot put any weight on his ankle for at least four weeks. The Broncos plan to carefully control every part of his rehab over the next three months.

Even with the setback, doctors feel good about his long-term health. One source said they told Nix the injury is “nothing to be concerned about long term.” This is the third time he has broken an ankle, but doctors said this break happened in a different spot than the others.

Nix got hurt late in overtime during Denver’s divisional-round win over the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Sean Payton shared the news after the game and named Jarrett Stidham the starter for the AFC Championship Game.

“I’m not worried about Stiddy in this game,” Payton told reporters Friday. “I’m worried about everyone else and how we play. That really is the truth.”

Payton showed confidence in Stidham, who was the first free agent he signed as Denver’s coach. Broncos fans backed that trust online. Thousands of fans changed their profile photos to a popular image of Stidham wearing sunglasses and earbuds.

Nix will stay close to the team but will miss a big matchup against Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, a close friend. The two trained together last offseason in Alabama, share the same agent, and became close during the 2024 draft.

Doctors expect Nix to be ready for Denver’s offseason program. The team plans to take things slow. Their focus is keeping him healthy long-term, not rushing him back for one game.

On Sunday, Stidham will start. Nix will watch. The Broncos will move on.