The Denver Broncos entered Sunday already shorthanded. Their AFC Championship Game matchup with the New England Patriots was always going to test depth, poise, and adaptability. Then the inactive list dropped.
With the season on the line, the Broncos will be without one of their most explosive pass catchers. And the absence reshapes how the Broncos must approach the biggest game of their year.
Why Troy Franklin Is Inactive vs. Patriots in AFC Championship Game
Second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin was ruled inactive for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game due to a lingering hamstring injury. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero confirmed the decision. “Broncos WR Troy Franklin is inactive because of his hamstring injury for today’s AFC Championship Game,” Pelissero wrote.
Broncos WR Troy Franklin is inactive because of his hamstring injury for today’s AFC Championship Game.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 25, 2026
The injury traces back to the Broncos’ overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round, when Franklin exited early and did not return. This absence is a big deal.
Franklin had quietly become one of the Broncos’ most dependable offensive weapons in 2025, especially as the season progressed. He wrapped up the year with 65 receptions for 709 yards and six touchdowns, nearly tripling his rookie stats from 2024.
What’s more, Franklin had built a solid rapport with the Broncos’ quarterbacks. This connection is even more crucial now that Bo Nix is out for the season with an ankle injury. Backup Jarrett Stidham will step in at quarterback, but he’ll be without one of his most trusted targets.
Franklin’s rise had reached a point where many in the league considered him the Broncos’ unofficial WR1. During a pivotal four-game stretch in the middle of the season, he outperformed Pro Bowl wideout Courtland Sutton in both targets and production. In that span, Franklin racked up 19 catches for 220 yards and three touchdowns, while Sutton managed 12 catches for 180 yards and just one score.
To fill the gap, the Broncos promoted Elijah Moore from the practice squad for his debut with the team. Moore brings speed and experience to the table, but since he’s new to the Broncos’ system, he doesn’t have that in-game chemistry with Stidham yet. We can expect to see more snaps for Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr., and Lil’Jordan Humphrey behind Sutton.
Franklin’s absence isn’t just a number on the stat sheet. It tightens things up for New England’s defense and takes away a vertical threat that could change the momentum with just one play.
For the Broncos, the challenge is clear. Win anyway. Adapt anyway. And find offense without one of the players who helped get them this far.
