Bo Nix suffers crucial injury ahead of potential rematch vs. Texans

2 hours ago 1

The pathway to a Super Bowl title just got a bit easier for the Houston Texans should they win on Sunday afternoon over the New England Patriots.

Denver Broncos starting quarterback Bo Nix fractured his right ankle three plays before Wil Lutz drilled a game-winning 23-yard field goal in overtime over the Buffalo Bills in Empower Field at Mile High on Saturday. Broncos coach Sean Payton told reporters that Nix would underdo surgery on Tuesday and would miss the remainder of the season.

Longtime backup Jarrett Stidham is expected to start in his place for Sunday's AFC Conference Championship and potentially the Super Bowl.

"[Nix] is a tough cookie,'' Payton told reporters. "I said, 'Listen, I believe you're the second quarterback in his second year to take his team to the [conference] championship game and the first is [Patrick] Mahomes.' ... We'll rise up for the next challenge."

According to Payton, Nix got hurt on a designed quarterback run that resulted in a loss of two yards. He was seen limping back to the huddle, but it never looked like a serious injury during the game.

On the next play, he threw a deep pass to Marvin Mims Jr., resulting in a pass interference call and a spot foul, setting up Denver inside Buffalo's red zone. Two plays later, Lutz won the game with a kick, securing another name game-ending 23-yard field goal.

Stidham is 1-3 as a starter in six seasons. His last appearance came in Week 8 for a kneel down in a victory over the Dallas Cowboys. He hasn't thrown a pass since the 2024 season.

Nix finished Saturday's win 26-of-46 passing for 279 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. The victory marked the sixth time this season Nix has led a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime.

"Stiddy is ready to go,'' Payton said. "He's ready, he's ready. I feel like I've got a two who's capable of starting for a number of teams and I know he feels the same way. Watch out, just watch.''

Kickoff on Sunday from Gillette Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Bo Nix suffers crucial injury ahead of potential rematch vs. Texans

Read Entire Article