Denver’s playoff hopes shift as Nix’s injury changes everything.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix received a clear and sobering injury update just days before the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.

According to ESPN, doctors expect Nix to miss about 12 weeks after having surgery on his broken right ankle last week. That means there is no chance he could return for the Super Bowl on Feb. 8, even if Denver makes it.

Nix will not play Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Doctors also told him to stay off his feet during the game. He plans to watch from a suite with other injured Broncos while Jarrett Stidham starts at quarterback.

Long Road Back For Bo Nix

Doctors told ESPN that the recovery will be harder for Bo Nix than the surgery itself. He cannot put any weight on his ankle for at least four weeks. The Broncos plan to carefully control every part of his rehab over the next three months.

Even with the setback, doctors feel good about his long-term health. One source said they told Nix the injury is “nothing to be concerned about long term.” This is the third time he has broken an ankle, but doctors said this break happened in a different spot than the others.

Nix got hurt late in overtime during Denver’s divisional-round win over the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Sean Payton shared the news after the game and named Jarrett Stidham the starter for the AFC Championship Game.

“I’m not worried about Stiddy in this game,” Payton told reporters Friday. “I’m worried about everyone else and how we play. That really is the truth.”

Payton showed confidence in Stidham, who was the first free agent he signed as Denver’s coach. Broncos fans backed that trust online. Thousands of fans changed their profile photos to a popular image of Stidham wearing sunglasses and earbuds.

Nix will stay close to the team but will miss a big matchup against Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, a close friend. The two trained together last offseason in Alabama, share the same agent, and became close during the 2024 draft.

Doctors expect Nix to be ready for Denver’s offseason program. The team plans to take things slow. Their focus is keeping him healthy long-term, not rushing him back for one game.

On Sunday, Stidham will start. Nix will watch. The Broncos will move on.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.