Why is Jarrett Stidham playing instead of Bo Nix vs Patriots today? Ankle injury update and return timeline

Bo Nix underwent surgery last week on his broken right ankle. Backup Jarrett Stidham will start Sunday at quarterback for the Broncos.

Updated on: Jan 26, 2026, 02:08:47 IST

By Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

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Jarrett Stidham will start at quarterback for the Denver Broncos against the New England Patriots in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, with Bo Nix sidelined after undergoing surgery on his right ankle.

Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) stands next to quarterback Bo Nix (10) during overtime of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Nix suffered a season-ending fracture on January 17 during Denver’s 33–30 Divisional Round playoff win over the Buffalo Bills. He underwent surgery last week, and doctors have instructed him not to put any weight on the ankle for at least four weeks, sources told ESPN.

When will Bo Nix return?

Bo Nix is expected to be out for approximately 12 weeks. While that timetable rules him out for the remainder of the postseason, he is expected to be healthy enough to participate in the Broncos’ offseason program, assuming no setbacks.

Stidham set to start

With Nix unavailable, Jarrett Stidham will take over under center on Sunday.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton expressed confidence in his backup quarterback, downplaying concerns about the position heading into the title game.

"I'm not worried about Stiddy in this game," Broncos coach Sean Payton said. "I'm worried about everyone else and how we play. That's the truth."

Payton went further, saying he believes Stidham is capable of delivering against New England and is a legitimate starting-caliber quarterback.

"I feel like our two were inside the best 32," Payton told The Denver Post this week, referring to his quarterback depth chart. Stidham has not thrown a regular-season pass since the 2023 season.

Also Read: Mack Hollins injury news: Why Patriots star arrived barefoot for Broncos game, chanting 'Warriors, come out to play'

Stidham embraces the moment

For his part, Stidham said he is approaching the opportunity no differently, despite the stakes.

"I'm not treating it any differently," Stidham said of stepping into the AFC Championship spotlight. "I'm not treating my preparation any differently. I'm just gonna go out there and play and be myself."

(With inputs from Reuters)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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