Bo Nix shines in return from broken ankle, but Broncos fall to Packers 33-13
Bo Nix had a successful return in Denver's 33-13 preseason loss to Green Bay after recovering from a broken right ankle
DENVER -- 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.
“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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