Four teams left, but still plenty of injuries impacting not only the actual games but also sports betting and daily fantasy. Bo Nix and Zach Charbonnet's seasons are over. Will their injuries carry into 2026? We discuss all the major injuries from the divisional round below.

Quarterbacks

Bo Nix

Injury: Right ankle fracture

Analysis: In a stunning turn of events, about an hour after Denver outlasted Buffalo in overtime Sean Payton announced to the world that his quarterback will miss the remainder of the season with an ankle fracture. A truly devastating injury won't just impact Nix's ability to play in the AFC championship and beyond, but this will significantly cut into his off-season training. Nix will spend the next 5-6 months rehabbing in preparation for the 2026 season.

The mechanism of injury was strange; he appeared to injure when landing from getting tackled, but nobody lands on Nix, and his foot and ankle did not twist awkwardly. It's unclear exactly which bones are fractured, but it seems that the injury happens as his foot strikes the ground. This is Nix's right ankle, meaning he needs to plant and push off to throw and step up in the pocket. He should be able to return to 100% with minimal to no impairments in his game, but much of his off-season will be spent rehabbing. This is his third combined ankle fracture in his lifetime; past injury is the biggest risk factor for future injury.

Running Backs

Zach Charbonnet

Injury: ACL tear

Analysis: Charbonnet tore his ACL, and by the mechanism of injury I would not be surprised if there is also damage to the MCL and meniscus. ACL tears alone are a 9-month rehab, putting his week one status almost certainly in doubt. If we get confirmation that more tissues were involved, his entire 2026 season could be at risk.

Charbonnet is just 25 years old, a major advantage for his long-term outlook. Running backs see a major hit in fantasy production in year one after an ACL, even when they have 10+ months to rehab before the season starts. All of these factors combine make Charbonnet's 2026 season not appealing at all from a fantasy standpoint, but he could be a decent buy-low in dynasty formats targeting 2027.

Rhamondre Stevenson

Injury: Eye injury

Analysis: Rhamondre injured his eye last week, but this does not appear to be a major or long-term issue. Expect no functional impacts next week.

Wide Receivers

Pat Bryant

Injury: Concussion

Analysis: Bryant left the Divisional round game with a concussion, his second since week 16. Concussions are cumulative, and with this being his second within a month, it will be difficult for him to clear the protocol ahead of Sunday's AFC championship game.

Marvin Mims

Injury: Back injury

Analysis: Mims injured his back while laying out to make a catch, but was able to return to the game last weekend. At present, there are no reports of any lasting effects, but practice reports this week will tell more of the story. Usually, back injuries that are not fractures or disc injuries do not impact stat lines, as they tend to feel good and move well after being warmed up. Right now, we are not expecting this to threaten Mims' availability for the AFC championship, but we will monitor practice reports.

Troy Franklin

Injury: Hamstring strain

Analysis: Franklin injured his hamstring early in the Divisional round and never returned. Receivers average missing 1.9 games, putting his status for the AFC championship in question. Franklin is young (22), which improves healing efficiency, but even if he can go this week, receivers average a 15% dip in fantasy production.

Tight Ends

Colston Loveland

Injury: Concussion

Analysis: Loveland was knocked out of the Divisional round with a concussion. He should be able to recover from his concussion within a few weeks and have the entire off-season to train ahead of 2026.

Dalton Schultz

Injury: Calf injury

Analysis: Schultz injured his calf early in the Divisional round and did not return. Houston is eliminated, and Schultz will rehab his calf over the next few weeks, but should have no issue being ready for all off-season activities.

Dawson Knox

Injury: Stinger

Analysis: Knox suffered a stinger but was able to finish the game. Buffalo is eliminated, so this won't matter for the rest of 2026, and while it should be fully resolved for all off-season activities, a past nerve injury increases risk for future nerve injury.