Bo Nix Returns from Ankle Injury with TD Pass in Broncos' 33-13 Loss to Packers

Quarterback Bo Nix completed 6-of-9 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in his first preseason appearance since undergoing two offseason ankle surgeries.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix completed 6-of-9 passes for 76 yards and one touchdown in his preseason debut Friday night, a 33-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Nix, returning from two offseason surgeries to repair a fractured right ankle, played exactly 14 snaps before being replaced. His performance included a 21-yard touchdown pass to running back RJ Harvey to cap Denver’s opening possession. On that initial drive, Nix went 3-of-4 through the air, including a 35-yard catch-and-run by wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to convert a third down.

Nix’s return to the field followed an eight-month recovery process after fracturing his ankle during a divisional round victory over the Buffalo Bills in January. The injury forced him to miss the subsequent AFC Championship Game. During the offseason, the quarterback underwent two surgical procedures, including an April operation to remove bone spurs. While he was limited during the Broncos' offseason program and mandatory minicamp in June, he has participated in every scheduled snap throughout training camp.

Statistical Breakdown of Nix’s Return

The Broncos' starting quarterback orchestrated two offensive possessions at Empower Field at Mile High. The first drive resulted in the 21-yard score to Harvey, while the second series lasted nine plays and concluded with a 53-yard field goal by Wil Lutz. Nix finished his night with a completion percentage of 66.7% and zero turnovers. Following his exit, Jarrett Stidham took over at quarterback, with Sam Ehlinger finishing the game in the fourth quarter.

Coach Sean Payton had projected earlier in the week that Nix would see approximately 14 snaps. This appearance marked the first time Nix operated under the direction of Davis Webb, who was recently promoted to offensive coordinator and gameday playcaller. Despite the quarterback's efficient stat line, the Broncos struggled as a unit, failing to outplay Green Bay in any specific phase of the game according to Payton’s post-game assessment.

Offensive Integration and Roster Impact

Jaylen Waddle recorded his first reception as a Bronco during the opening drive, hauling in the 35-yard pass from Nix following his trade from the Miami Dolphins. Nix described the catch by Harvey on the touchdown play as difficult, noting the running back's playmaking ability. The quarterback stated that the extra cleanup surgery performed in the spring helped him return to "square one" physically, claiming he felt as healthy as he has in a long time.

Backup quarterback Sam Ehlinger observed that Nix appeared to be in "postseason form" during his limited action. The Broncos offense faced significant hurdles outside of the starting unit's time on the field, with Payton citing an abundance of penalties and minus plays as reasons for the 20-point margin of defeat. The head coach noted that the Packers won the majority of individual battles throughout the evening.

Looking Ahead to the Preseason Finale

Nix did not participate in Denver’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons last week, making Friday’s 14-snap stint his first live action since the January injury. He reported feeling excited rather than nervous during the reentry, focusing on production rather than the volume of plays. The quarterback took all his scheduled reps in the huddle during recent practices, signaling a full return to the rotation.

Denver is scheduled to conclude the preseason next Friday against the Minnesota Vikings. Coach Payton confirmed that Nix is expected to play at least some portion of that finale. The team will look to clean up the errors that led to the 33-13 defeat, as Payton expressed dissatisfaction with the overall performance beyond the starting quarterback's "solid" outing.