The Claim: The Denver Broncos are putting quarterback Bo Nix on painkillers for the AFC Championship game against the Patriots.

The Denver Broncos beat the Bills during the AFC Divisional game in overtime, but the cost was perhaps too high. But according to some reports, Denver may have a solution. With six minutes left on the clock, Nix went for a rush but was tackled down by Cole Bishop. It appeared to be a harmless tackle, but when checked, it was found that Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury. While it has been all but confirmed that Jarrett Stidham, their QB2, will play against the Patriots, hope has emerged in some rumors.

A post about his painkiller speculation reads:

“The Broncos are “seriously considering” putting Bo Nix on Ketorolac, a heavy painkiller, to get him to play through his broken ankle injury,” posted NFL on Drop on X. “Nix is questionable to start vs the Patriots on Sunday.”

Our Rating: False

The post says, “The Broncos are “seriously considering” putting Bo Nix on Ketorolac, a heavy painkiller.” And “Nix is questionable to start vs the Patriots on Sunday. The “seriously considering” and “questionable” confirm that the Broncos haven’t given the quarterback any painkillers. Moreover, Sean Payton, their head coach, has reinforced his confidence in Stidham to play against the Patriots.

“He knows… In fairness to what you’ve seen, which is very limited, he’s ready,” Payton told the reporters, via DNVR Broncos on X. “He’s ready. I’ve said this at the beginning of the season, I feel like I have a number 2 [quarterback] that’s capable of starting for a handful of, a number of teams. I know he feels the same way. So watch out. Just watch. He’s experienced, he’s played in games.”

Payton also revealed that Bo Nix will undergo surgery on Tuesday in Alabama. So, it will be impossible to be back to the field within six days of surgery

Jarrett Stidham is getting ready to face his former team

The Broncos signed Jarrett Stidham in 2023. However has barely gotten any game time as QB2. Initially, he was behind Russell Wilson, and after the Broncos drafted Bo Nix in 2024, he became their starting quarterback. However, with the recent injury to Bo Nix, Stidham will play his first-ever playoff game for his former team, the Patriots. All his teammates are expecting great things from Stidham.

“I know that our team and our staff and everybody has the utmost confidence in Jarrett to play well and lead our team forward,” posted the Denver Broncos on X.

The DC Vance Joseph has also praised Stidham’s qualities as a quarterback. Under Joseph’s coaching, the Broncos led the league in total sacks and were in the top three in total defense, scoring defense, and rushing defense. Despite having an impressive defense, Stidham has no difficulty playing against them during practice.

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“One of Stiddy’s great strengths is his mental aptitude and progressions and understanding plays,” said Sean Payton, as per Broncos beat reporter Zac Stevens. “Like there’d be practices where like I’m looking at Vance (Joseph) like getting pissed off because Stiddy is making our defense look bad. He’s very accurate, he’s got a lot to his ball.”

The Broncos will practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The quarterback will be present at all three days’ practice sessions. His 2025 preseason also went well, with his box scores reading Stidham finished 30-of-38 for 376 yards with four touchdowns, no interceptions, and two sacks, in two games.

Despite the recent developments, Stidham is confident in his abilities, and his comments from August 2024 reveal this confidence.

“I know I’m a starting quarterback in this league. I have no doubts about that, and it just didn’t shake out my way,” Stidham said. “I know what kind of player I am, what kind of person I am. Like I said earlier, I’ll be ready to go if I need to be… I have no doubts that I’m a starting-caliber quarterback in this league.”

Our Fact Check Sources

• Zac Stevens, January 19, 2026: Twitter
• DNVR Broncos, January 18, 2026: Twitter
• Denver Broncos, January 20, 2026: Twitter
• Andrew Mason, January 18, 2026: Twitter