Bo Nix will not play in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots after being placed on injured reserve following ankle surgery. Jarrett Stidham is set to start at quarterback for the Broncos. Denver activated center Luke Wattenberg and added wide receiver depth as the team adjusts its lineup for a high-pressure playoff matchup. The Denver Broncos have spent the week preparing for one of the biggest games of the season, but the mood around the AFC Championship has felt unusually tense. Injuries always loom large in January, yet this week’s developments have shifted focus away from matchups and toward availability. As the Patriots arrive in Denver, one key question has hovered over every practice session and press conference.The Broncos know momentum matters in playoff football. Rhythm, trust, and timing become harder to protect when rosters change late in the year. That reality has placed added attention on Denver’s quarterback room and how the team plans to respond under pressure against a disciplined New England defense.
Bo Nix injury update and Broncos roster moves
Bo Nix will not play against the New England Patriots in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. The Denver Broncos placed the rookie quarterback on injured reserve after he underwent ankle surgery earlier this week. Head coach Sean Payton addressed reporters midweek and confirmed that Nix’s “surgery went well.”Nix later shared his own reaction publicly, calling the diagnosis that ended his season “some of the most devastating football news I’ve ever received.” His absence closes a breakout rookie campaign just as the stakes reached their peak.With Nix sidelined, Jarrett Stidham is set to start under center. Denver also made supporting moves to steady the lineup. Center Luke Wattenberg returned to the active roster after missing time with a shoulder injury and is expected to resume his starting role. His presence adds stability to an offensive line that must protect a quarterback making his first postseason start.The Broncos also activated wide receivers Michael Bandy and Elijah Moore while monitoring the health of Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant, both of whom were injured last week. Franklin remains questionable, while Bryant practiced fully.Denver now leans on preparation, balance, and defense. Without Nix, execution becomes even more critical in a game where every possession could decide the season.