Broncos' Nix throws for TD in return from injury

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  Jeff LegwoldAug 22, 2026, 01:40 AM ET

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  Jeff Legwold covers the Denver Broncos at ESPN. He has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years and also assists with NFL draft coverage, joining ESPN in 2013. He has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999, too. Jeff previously covered the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans at previous stops prior to ESPN.

DENVER -- For Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, Friday's preseason game against the Green Bay Packers was an "easy'' re-entry into the lineup that was eight months in the making.

"(I was) excited, not really nervous,'' said Nix, who had two offseason surgeries to repair a fractured right ankle. "I knew it was just going to be a few plays and wanted to see the production.''

In 14 snaps, Nix finished 6-of-9 passing for 76 yards and a touchdown in what was otherwise a downer of an evening for the Broncos in a 33-13 loss to the Packers.

Among those snaps with Nix behind center was wide receiver Jaylen Waddle's first reception since he was traded from the Miami Dolphins -- a 35-yard catch-and-run to convert a third down on Denver's opening possession.

Nix was 3-of-4 on that opening series with a 21-yard touchdown pass to running RJ Harvey to close it out.

"You can't really explain the type of player (Waddle) is, you just got to get out there and play and when you throw him the ball you just understand it's a little bit different, he's just a really great football player,'' Nix said. "He adds a lot to our team.''

And on Harvey's touchdown, Nix added: "The catch he made wasn't necessarily easy ... he's a special football player.''

Nix returned for the Denver offense's second possession, a nine-play affair that ended with a 53-yard field goal by Wil Lutz. Coach Sean Payton had said earlier this week he expected Nix, who did not play in the Broncos' preseason opener in Atlanta last week, to play about 14 snaps Friday. He was at 14 just before Lutz trotted out for the field goal.

The field goal was the end of the evening for Nix and most Broncos starters on both sides of the ball, as Jarrett Stidham followed Nix at quarterback and Sam Ehlinger finished things out in the fourth quarter.

Friday was also the first game Nix played since Payton promoted Davis Webb to offensive coordinator and play-caller on game day.

"It was about like I thought working in practice,'' Nix said. "Just very smooth, get in and out of the huddle, put us in a good situation ... nothing crazy, just about like I thought and excited to see how the season goes.''

Nix fractured his right ankle late in the Broncos' divisional-round win over the Buffalo Bills in January. He missed the AFC Championship Game and underwent two surgeries, including one in April to clean up bone spurs.

Nix was held out of the majority of the Broncos' team drills in the offseason program, but he did throw on a limited basis in the mandatory minicamp in June.

He has taken all of his scheduled snaps in training camp practices.

"Just going out there and doing my job and just treating it like a practice rep,'' Nix said Friday. "I felt like it exactly where I left off (last season). I felt better, I think over time the extra clean-up surgery was good for me just because it put me back to square one, I felt pretty good, as good as I've felt in a long time.''

"It was awesome (to see Nix back),'' Ehlinger said. "Thought he did a great job, right back to postseason form, he didn't miss a beat. Really happy for him ... clearly he's feeling good.''

Payton has said Nix will play at least some in the Broncos' preseason finale next Friday against the Minnesota Vikings. And while Payton called Nix's effort "solid,'' he had little good to say about the rest of the Broncos' efforts.

"It wasn't good, wasn't good,'' Payton said. "We had too many minus plays, too many penalties ... I think they won a lot of battles ... pick a topic ... I can't think of one area where we outplayed (the Packers) and I'm just being honest.''