Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Two stops against Buffalo
Rotowire
Nelson posted two tackles (one solo) during the Buccaneers' 44-32 loss to the Bills on Sunday.
Nelson was able to shake off an illness to suit up Sunday and played 60 total snaps (49 on defense, 11 on special teams), though his tackle count was his lowest since Week 5 against the Seahawks (one). The 2019 fourth-rounder has started in each of the Buccaneers' last three games, which has coincided with the absence of Haason Reddick (ankle). Nelson is up to 29 tackles (16 solo), including 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pick-six through 10 regular-season games.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Ready to play at Buffalo
Rotowire
Nelson (illness) does not carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Nelson popped up on the Buccaneers' injury report Thursday with an illness, but it doesn't seem like it was anything serious, and he's on track to suit up in Week 11. With two-time Pro-Bowler Haason Reddick (ankle) out, Nelson projects to start on the edge opposite 2023 third-rounder Yaya Diaby on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Doesn't practice Thursday
Rotowire
Nelson (illness) did not practice Thursday.
Nelson popped up on Thursday's injury report with an illness, leaving his status for Sunday's road game against the Bills in question. Due to the absence of Haason Reddick (ankle/knee), the outside linebacker played 92 percent of defensive snaps in last week's loss to the Patriots and made use of the increased opportunity by logging six tackles (three solo). Nelson's participation level in Friday's practice should provide a much more concrete indication of his chances of suiting up for Sunday's Week 11 matchup against the Bills.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Secures six stops in Week 10 loss
Rotowire
Nelson posted six tackles (three solo) Sunday in a loss to New England.
Nelson compiled the third-most tackles on Tampa Bay while recording a season-high 92 percent defensive snap share in the defeat. The increased opportunity came as a result of Haason Reddick (ankle/knee) missing another contest. Nelson has registered 27 tackles (including 3.0 sacks), two forced fumbles and a pick-six across nine games this season.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Solid in rotational role
Rotowire
Nelson totaled 40 tackles (25 solo), including 4.0 sacks, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 17 regular-season games in 2024.
The veteran linebacker logged the second-highest snap count of his career on defense (538), and Nelson turned in a second consecutive 40-tackle campaign and third straight in which he at least hit that threshold. Nelson also recorded one additional sack compared to 2023, and he added five tackles during the Buccaneers' wild-card loss to the Commanders over 49 snaps. Nelson also played a career-high 381 snaps on special-teams coverage and return units, and he's now finished out the two-year, $10 million contract he signed prior to the 2023 season. Given Nelson has proven to be such a reliable and effective fit as a complementary component of Tampa Bay's linebacker corps, it wouldn't be surprise for both team and player to be interested in re-upping their commitment to one another this offseason.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Records fourth sack Sunday
Rotowire
Nelson supplied two tackles (both solo), including 1.0 sacks, in the Buccaneers' 48-14 win over the Panthers on Sunday.
Nelson was one of five Buccaneers to record a sack of Bryce Young, the sixth-year pro's fourth QB takedown of the season. Nelson continues to fill a rotational role in the linebacker corps, and he's logged at least 30 snaps in eight consecutive games.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Dealing with shoulder injury
Rotowire
Nelson (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's injury report.
Nelson started at outside linebacker opposite Yaya Diaby against the Panthers in Week 13 due to Joe Tryon-Shoyinka being ruled out with an ankle injury. Nelson played a season-high 53 defensive snaps and finished with six tackles (five solo), but it appears he may have picked up a shoulder injury in the process. He'll have to return to practice in at least a limited capacity over the next two days to be available for Sunday's game against the Raiders.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Active Sunday
Rotowire
Nelson is active for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
The outside linebacker missed practice Friday due to a personal reason, per Scott Reynolds of PewterReport.com. Now, he might have a chance to start opposite Yaya Diaby with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka inactive with an ankle injury. Nelson has played on at least 30 percent of the defensive snaps in all 11 of Tampa Bay's games this season, recording 25 tackles (14 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and a fumble recovery.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Deemed doubtful
Rotowire
Nelson has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Lions due to a concussion, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Nelson was apparently in concussion protocol all week, although he was a full participant at practice. His doubtful designation indicates he is not trending toward clearing the league's protocols prior to kickoff Sunday. Still, final confirmation on his status is unlikely to come until a few hours before game time. With Shaquil Barrett (illness) considered questionable, the Bucs could be spread a little thin on the edge. Thus, YaYa Diaby, Markees Watts and Cam Gill have the potential to see increased workloads.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Ready to play at Minnesota
Rotowire
Nelson (hamstring) was a full participant at practice Friday ahead of Sunday's game at the Vikings, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
After limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday, Nelson got in a full practice Friday ahead of Tampa Bay's regular-season opener. He'll try to improve on the career-high 5.5 sacks he recorded last season.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Stays with Tampa
Rotowire
Nelson re-signed with the Buccaneers on Thursday.
Nelson was a steady contributor on the Bucs' defense in 2022, setting career highs across the board in his fourth NFL season. He should remain a regular part of the team's linebacker corps next season.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Career-best season in '22
Rotowire
Nelson totaled 46 tackles (26 solo), including 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery across 17 games during the 2022 regular season.
Nelson added three solo stops across 60 snaps in the wild-card loss to the Cowboys. The fourth-year linebacker turned in career-best tackle, sack and forced fumble totals while playing a career-high 604 snaps on defense. While Nelson is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year in mid-March, the 2019 fourth-round pick could certainly prove to be a more cost-effective alternative for the Buccaneers than fellow free agent Lavonte David.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Another sack in Week 17
Rotowire
Nelson registered four tackles (three solo), including a sack, during the Buccaneers' 30-24 win over the Panthers in Week 17.
Nelson pushed his sack total to 2.5 over the last three games with his takedown of Sam Darnold in the win. The 25-year-old has put some solid play on tape down the stretch while starting in place of Shaquil Barrett (IR-Achilles), and he'll head into the regular-season finale versus the Falcons averaging 4.3 tackles per contest since Week 12.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Expected to be starter sans Barrett
Rotowire
Nelson is expected to start at outside linebacker in the absence of Shaquil Barrett (Achilles), Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Nelson has recorded two sacks across eight appearances this season, but he's in line for increased opportunities with Barrett sidelined for the remainder of the season. The 2019 fourth-round pick played a season-high 46 percent of Tampa Bay's defensive snaps during Thursday's loss to Baltimore, but he figures to finish around the 60-70 percent mark moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Remains out Week 14
Rotowire
Nelson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Colts, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Nelson will be sidelined for his fifth straight game due to the hamstring injury. Carl Nassib, Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul (knee) should continue handling the bulk of the reps at outside linebacker.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Out again Sunday
Rotowire
Nelson (hamstring) was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Saints, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Nelson hasn't practiced since suffering the hamstring injury Week 9 at Seattle and will miss his second straight game. Fellow OLB Carl Nassib (groin) was also ruled out, leaving Sam Acho and Kahzin Daniels to serve as reserve options behind Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul.
... See More... See Less
Buccaneers' Anthony Nelson: Unlikely to play Week 10
Rotowire
Nelson (hamstring), who missed practice Wednesday, is unlikely to play in Sunday's game against the Cardinals as per head coach Bruce Arians, Carmen Vitali of the team's official site reports.
Nelson exited Sunday's overtime loss to the Seahawks after just six snaps from scrimmage and nine on special teams due to his hamstring injury. Arians mentioned Wednesday that Nelson would "probably" not be ready to face Arizona in Week 10, which could leave the just-signed Kahzin Daniels as the primary backup to Shaq Barrett at right outside linebacker versus the Cardinals.
