Wattenberg (shoulder) is active for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Patriots, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Wattenberg was activated from injured reserve Saturday, and the fourth-year pro has been officially cleared to play in his first game since Week 16 after recovering from a shoulder injury. He should reclaim his starting job at center, while Alex Forsyth -- who filled in at center in Wattenberg's absence -- will not play Sunday due to an ankle injury.

Bandy (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Patriots, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

The Broncos elevated both Bandy and Elijah Moore from the practice squad Saturday, but Denver will go with the latter as the No. 5 receiver in the absence of Troy Franklin (hamstring). Bandy appeared in four regular-season games for the Broncos in 2025 and caught all four of his targets for 50 yards and one touchdown.

Mapu (hip) is active for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Broncos.

Mapu was battling through a hip injury during practice, but the third-year pro was given the green light to play in Sunday's Championship Game. He has served primarily on special teams this season and has not recorded a tackle across the Patriots' two playoff games.

Hollins (abdomen) is active for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Broncos.

Hollins had been listed as questionable heading into Sunday, but his return to action had already been set in motion by the Patriots activating him from injured reserve Saturday. The wideout had missed the final two games of the regular season as well as the Patriots' first two postseason contests while recovering from an abdominal issue. Hollins closed the week of prep with a full practice Friday, and the Patriots' decision to make fellow wideout Efton Chism inactive for the contest likely signals that the veteran receiver won't be under any strict limitations Sunday. A valued blocker, Hollins was also a productive secondary option in the passing game during the regular season, finishing with 46 catches for 550 yards and two touchdowns on 65 targets over 15 appearances.

Franklin (hamstring) is inactive Sunday for the Broncos' AFC Championship Game against the Patriots, Aric DiLalla of Denver's official site reports.

Franklin was a limited practice participant throughout the week and was deemed questionable heading into Sunday, but the wideout will ultimately be forced to the sideline for the first time all season while he recovers from the hamstring injury he sustained in the divisional-round win over the Bills. With Franklin sitting out, the Broncos should have more reps open at receiver for Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims and Lil'Jordan Humphrey behind No. 1 wideout Courtland Sutton.

Nix is expected to require 12 weeks to heal after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair his broken right ankle, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

According to Schefter, Nix will be barred from putting weight on his right ankle for the next four weeks following surgery, and he'll then need around eight weeks to complete the rehab process before he's ready to resume on-field work. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds that Nix received good news upon undergoing surgery, as his injured ankle had "limited ligament damage and no joint surface damage." Given the estimated recovery timeline, Nix doesn't look like he'll be available for the start of Denver's offseason program, though he could be fully cleared for OTAs and minicamp in the late spring. With Nix sidelined for the duration of the Broncos' playoff run, Jarrett Stidham will step in as the team's starting quarterback in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.

The Broncos activated Wattenberg (shoulder) from injured reserve Saturday.

Wattenberg is still listed as questionable to play in Sunday's elimination game, but the activation from injured reserve is a strong sign that the center will be able to suit up. With Alex Forsyth (ankle) also listed as questionable, the Broncos likely want to have every possible offensive lineman available on the active roster.

The Broncos elevated Bandy from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Bandy played in four regular-season games for 16 offensive snaps, totalling four receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown on four targets. Bandy will join fellow wide receiver Elijah Moore as a depth option at receiver, elevated as a precaution for a scenario where Troy Franklin (hamstring) potentially cannot suit up for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.

The Patriots placed Gregory (knee) on injured reserve Saturday.

It is unclear when Gregory suffered his knee injury, but the depth option at nose tackle has officially had his season ended. Gregory accumulated eight tackles, including one solo tackle, over seven games this season. In a corresponding move, the Patriots activated wide receiver Mack Hollins from injured reserve to suit up in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Broncos.

The Patriots elevated Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

With Terrell Jennings (concussion) staying on injured reserve, Johnson will once again be elevated to provide depth behind running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Broncos. The No. 3 running back did not have an offensive touch in last Sunday's win over the Texans, but he returned two kickoffs for 47 yards.