Bo Nix shines in return from broken ankle, but Broncos fall to Packers 33-13

DENVER — 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.

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.

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) snapped Denver's eight-game winning streak in the preseason.

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.

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.

Packers: Host Arizona on Friday night.

Broncos: Host Minnesota on Friday night.

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