Bo Nix shines in return from broken
ankle, but Broncos fall to Packers 33-13
[August 22, 2026]
By ARNIE STAPLETON
DENVER (AP) — Bo Nix 's 21-yard touchdown toss to R.J. Harvey two
plays after hooking up with new speedster Jaylen Waddle for 35 yards
highlighted the Denver quarterback's return successful return from a
broken ankle in the Broncos' 33-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers on
Friday night.
“It felt great,” Nix said after working with new play-caller Davis
Webb for the first time in a game. “Just like any typical year,
going out for the first drive, there's going to be some different
things that you can grow from. But I felt like for the first drive
of the season it was solid.
“I think the strongest emotion was when I got out there it was just
like riding a bike; nothing really changed.”
Nix's second and final series ended with a 53-yard field goal from
Wil Lutz, but Pierre Strong Jr. returned the ensuing kickoff 68
yards, setting up Trey Smack's first of four field goals, a
51-yarder that tied it at 10.
The Nix-Waddle connection is a work in progress as Nix missed most
of the offseason and Waddle missed a week of training camp.
“It’s coming along," Waddle said. "We’ve got a lot of work to do.
But it was a good time. It’s good to get back out there with all the
guys.”
Nix completed 6 of 9 passes for 76 yards and the touchdown in his
first live action for the Broncos (1-1) since breaking his right
ankle against Buffalo in the playoffs seven months ago. He underwent
surgery in January and had a follow-up procedure to remove bone
spurs in the spring.
The Packers (1-1) dominated every phase in snapping Denver's
eight-game winning streak in the preseason.
“I can't think of one area we outplayed them,” lamented Broncos
coach Sean Payton.
Jordan Love drove Green Bay on a 12-play, 63-yard touchdown drive in
his only series, which he capped with an 11-yard touchdown throw to
Lloyd for a 7-0 lead.
That series looked short-lived when cornerback Riley Moss recovered
Christian Watson's fumble on the second play of the game, but a
review determined Watson's knee was down just as the Pat Surtain II
was ripping the ball out of Watson's arms.
[to top of second column] |
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (80) misses a catch
attempt against Denver Broncos cornerback Reese Taylor (35) during
the second half of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 21,
2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
“He's definitely one of the best corners in the
game,” Love said about Surtain. “And he does a great job just
everything he does. So, definitely got a lot of respect for him. He
made a great play trying to get the ball out, but that's just what
he does. He's a sticky corner. He does a lot of good things. I'm
excited for him, the year he's going to have.”
Moss, who's had a terrific training camp and had an interception in
Denver's 27-7 win over Atlanta in the Broncos' preseason opener,
left the game with a rib injury later in that drive and didn't
return.
Former University of Colorado receiver Will Sheppard's toe-dragging
2-yard touchdown catch from Tyrod Taylor gave Green Bay a 17-10 lead
and Smack kicked field goals of 59 and 44 yards sandwiched around
Mark Perry's interception of Broncos backup Jarrett Stidham's pass
to send Green Bay into halftime with a 23-10 lead.
Jaden Nixon's 3-yard TD run made it 30-13 and Smack added a 38-yard
field goal with 1:05 remaining.
The Broncos were upset about their performance but happy to see Nix
back.
“I thought he did a great job,” said Broncos QB Sam Ehlinger, who is
vying for the backup job with Stidham. “It was right back to
post-season form, really. Didn't miss a beat. Really happy for him.
He's in a great spot. He's been looking good and clearly he's
feeling good.”
Up next
Packers: Host Arizona on Friday night.
Broncos: Host Minnesota on Friday night.
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