The Denver Broncos will play in the AFC championship on Sunday for the first time since 2015. But the man who got them there won't be able to take part in the contest. Bo Nix was ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining a broken ankle on one of the final plays during the team's divisional round win over the Buffalo Bills.
Nix, 25, was ruled out shortly after that win, with head coach Sean Payton announcing the quarterback was injured on the second-to-last play in the team's overtime victory. Nix was slated to have season-ending surgery a few days later, but his injury timeline wasn't revealed until Sunday.
After undergoing that surgery, thequarterback is expected to miss 12 weeks, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Nix reportedly will not be allowed to be any weight on his ankle for four weeks. If he recovers well, the earliest he can begin activity would be right around the 12-week mark.
Though it's going to be a lengthy recovery, Nix is expected to be "largely recovered" in time for the team's offseason workouts, per Schefter.
Nix has reportedly broken his ankle three times during his football career, though this break is in a different area and should not affect the quarterback long term. Nix has gotten off to a promising start in his career. He threw for 3,931 yards with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions during his second season in the NFL. His performance, combined with the Broncos' excellent defense, resulted in Denver earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
With Nix sidelined, backup Jarrett Stidham will get the start against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Stidham will make his fifth-ever start in the contest. In 20 NFL games, the 29-year-old Stidham has eight touchdowns against eight interceptions.
