Peyton Manning has seen just about everything the NFL can throw at a postseason, which is why his reaction to the Bo Nix injury carried so much weight.
When word spread that the Denver Broncos quarterback had broken his ankle and would miss the remainder of the playoffs, Manning initially assumed the report had to be wrong.
The disbelief underscored how abruptly Denver‘s playoff narrative changed only hours after an emotional overtime win against the Buffalo Bills.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed that Manning texted a Broncos official asking whether the news circulating online was a hoax. It was not.
Medical imaging confirmed Nix had fractured his right ankle late in the game and would require surgery in Birmingham, Alabama, ending his postseason availability.
The timing made the diagnosis difficult to process across the league. Nix finished the game and helped set up Wil Lutz‘s walk off field goal in a 33-30 victory, completing 26 of 46 passes for 279 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
It marked the sixth time this season he had engineered a game winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton said the organization chose transparency once doctors delivered the news rather than delaying confirmation.
“Not good news,” Payton told reporters. “He fractured his ankle and will have surgery. We’ll rise up for the next challenge.”
How a routine sequence turned into a season ending injury
According to Payton, the injury occurred on a designed quarterback run with just over six minutes remaining in overtime. Nix was tackled for a short loss and returned to the huddle with a slight limp.
On the following snap, a deep pass intended for Marvin Mims Jr. drew a defensive penalty that moved the ball into scoring range. Nix then took a knee to position the ball for the winning kick, and his right ankle twisted awkwardly underneath him.
X rays taken after the game confirmed the fracture. Many teammates had already left the locker room by the time the medical staff finalized the diagnosis, leaving Payton to share the update publicly.
“Nix is a tough cookie,” Payton said. “He’s been through this before. We celebrate what he’s done this season and move forward.”
Nix is scheduled to undergo surgery with Dr. Norman Waldrop, a specialist known for treating high profile athletes. Payton noted it is the third time Nix has fractured an ankle in his football career.
Jarrett Stidham prepares for the biggest start of career
With Nix sidelined, veteran Jarrett Stidham will take over as the starter in the AFC Championship Game.
Stidham signed with Denver in 2023 and has been widely praised for his preparation and professionalism in the quarterback room.
He has starting experience from previous stops with New England, Las Vegas and Denver, including two late season starts in 2023.
“Stiddy is ready to go,” Payton said. “He’s capable of starting for a number of teams.”
Stidham brings a steady pocket presence and willingness to push the ball downfield, even if he lacks Nix‘s mobility. Sam Ehlinger will serve as the backup.
Around the league, the reaction mirrored Manning‘s initial disbelief. Former defensive tackle Gerald McCoy cautioned potential opponents not to underestimate a backup quarterback, pointing to Nick Foles‘ Super Bowl run with Philadelphia as proof that postseason momentum can shift quickly.
For the Broncos, the focus now turns to adapting on the fly. Nix had become the engine of a surprising playoff surge, and his absence forces Denver to lean on experience, composure and preparation.
Manning‘s reaction captured the mood perfectly: sometimes the most unbelievable playoff developments are the ones that end up defining the season.
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