Anthony Nelson Injury News & Updates

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.

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). Depending on if Nelson is able to log a practice tomorrow in any capacity, the consistent contributor to the Buccaneers linebacker corps may be sidelined by his immune system.

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 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.

Nelson recorded four tackles (two solo), including 2.0 sacks, forced a fumble and logged a pix-sick in Sunday's 23-3 win against New Orleans.

With Haason Reddick (ankle/knee) unable to suit up Sunday, Nelson logged a season-high 62 percent snap share. He made an immediate impact, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Tampa Bay on New Orleans' first possession. Nelson didn't slow down from there -- he added a pair of sacks and turned an interception of Spencer Rattler into a touchdown in the second period. That play marked both the first pickoff and first TD of Nelson's career.

Nelson is in line to re-sign with the Buccaneers on a two-year, $10 million contract, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Nelson, a 2019 fourth-round pick, has played his entire NFL career in Tampa Bay and now gets an opportunity to stick in familiar surroundings. The rotational linebacker has put together three consecutive seasons with at least 40 total tackles, and he logged the second-highest defensive snap count of his career (538) in 2024.

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 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 reupping their commitment to one another this offseason.

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.

Nelson (shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice and does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Nelson opened the week as a DNP on Wednesday due to a shoulder injury, but he was able to increase his practice participation over the next two days and will be available for Sunday's game. The sixth-year linebacker has logged 31 tackles (19 solo), including 3.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 12 regular-season games.

Nelson (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Nelson was sidelined for Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury he likely picked up against the Panthers this past Sunday. His practice participation Friday will provide clarity on his chance of playing this Sunday against the Raiders. Nelson could revert to a reserve role at outside linebacker Sunday if Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is able to return from an ankle injury.

Nelson (shoulder) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's injury report.

Nelson started at outside linebacker opposite Yaya Diaby against the Panthers in Week 13 due to Joe Tryon-Dhoyinka 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 in order to be available for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Nelson recorded six total tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 26-23 overtime win over the Panthers.

The Iowa product started opposite Yaya Diaby in Week 13, filling in for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (ankle) and logging a season-high 53 defensive snaps. Nelson came just short of bringing down Bryce Young several times, recording three QB hits without a sack. He's now tallied 31 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble through Tampa Bay's first 12 games this season. Nelson's role could on the Bucs' defense could continue to expand if he maintains his performance from Sunday.

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.

Nelson (elbow) is practicing with the team during training camp, Christopher O'Meara of The Associated Press reports.

The linebacker injured his elbow during the Buccaneers' divisional-round playoff loss to the Lions. Nelson is in line for a depth role with Tampa Bay after recording 40 or more tackles each of the last two seasons.

Nelson is questionable to return to Sunday's divisional-round playoff game against the Lions with an elbow injury, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

The backup linebacker did not record a stat before exiting. Nelson recorded 40 tackles, including 3.0 sacks, and a pass defensed in 16 regular season games and one tackle in Tampa Bay's wild-card playoff win over Philadelphia.

Nelson tallied four solo tackles, including a sack and an additional tackle for loss, in the Buccaneers' 24-18 loss to the Bills on Thursday.

The fifth-year linebacker returned from a one-game absence due to a concussion in Week 7 but only logged 18 snaps. However, he was back to 25 snaps on defense Thursday and matched his season high in tackles while also recording his first sack since Week 1. As a rotational linebacker, Nelson only retains marginal value in deep fantasy formats that feature IDPs.

Nelson (concussion) is active Week 7 against Atlanta.

Nelson sat out last week against Detroit but logged full practices each day this week en route to clearing the league's concussion protocol. Through the first four games of the year, Nelson had accumulated just eight combined tackles, so the reserve linebacker is only on the IDP radar in the deepest of formats.

Nelson (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus Atlanta, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Despite practicing in full all week, Nelson will carry a questionable tag into the weekend. It's possible there are outstanding steps for him to fully clear the league's concussion protocol, and if he can't play in Week 7, it would open up more chances for Cam Gill to rush the passer.

Nelson (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Lions, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

As expected, Nelson will be unavailable after being listed as doubtful. In his absence, YaYa Diaby, Markees Watts and Cam Gill could see increased snaps versus Detroit.

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 towards 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.

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 in 2023.

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.

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-to-be and position mate Lavonte David.

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.

Nelson collected seven tackles (three solo) during the Buccaneers' 35-7 loss to the 49ers in Week 14.

Nelson finished second in tackles on the afternoon while collecting a career-high tally in the process. The fourth-year linebacker also logged a season-high 49 snaps on defense and remains ticketed for a starting role the rest of the way with Shaquil Barrett (Achilles) on injured reserve.

Nelson registered five tackles (four solo), including a sack and an additional tackle for loss, during the Buccaneers' 23-17 overtime loss to the Browns in Week 12.

Nelson put together a productive outing considering he only played 44 snaps (56 percent). The fourth-year pro now has three sacks on the campaign, while Sunday's tackle tally was a season-high figure.

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 mark moving forward.

Nelson tallied three tackles (one solo), including a sack, during the Buccaneers' 41-31 loss to the Chiefs in Week 4.

The fourth-year linebacker logged a season-high 28 snaps and was productive with them, recording his first sack since Week 1 in the process. Nelson is slated to continue playing a rotational pass-rushing role that should yield him occasional QB takedowns, with a potential opportunity for more snaps if injuries strike in front of him. However, Scott Smith of the team's official site notes Nelson's presence on special teams is increasingly important, as he saw a season-high 28 snaps (out of a possible 30) on those units Sunday night.

Nelson tallied two tackles (one solo), including one sack, during the Buccaneers' 19-3 win over the Cowboys in Week 1.

Nelson is expected to have more pass-rushing opportunities this season with the Buccaneers having moved on from Jason Pierre-Paul, and the fourth-year linebacker encouragingly found a way to get to the quarterback right from the jump. Nelson flashed some upside in 2021 with five sacks in a part-time role, and given he now has 43 career games under his belt and no longer has Pierre-Paul impeding his path to playing time, the 25-year-old could be set to surpass last season's numbers.

Nelson tallied three tackles (all solo), including one sack and an additional tackles for loss, a defensed pass and a fumble recovery in the Buccaneers' 28-24 win over the Jets in Week 17.

Nelson was in on 58 of the Buccaneers' 61 snaps on defense with Lavonte David (IR-foot) sidelined and made very good use of the opportunity, as evidenced by his full stat line. The third-year linebacker now has four sacks in part-time duty this season, and he could enjoy another robust role in the Week 18 finale against the Panthers.

Nelson (hamstring) is not on Tampa Bay's injury report Tuesday, Carmen Vitali of the team's official site reports.

Nelson has missed six games with the injury. He'll return to provide the Buccaneers depth at linebacker Week 16.

Nelson (knee) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice.

Early reports suggested that Nelson may miss the season opener with a sprained MCL, but as evidenced by this news, appears ready to go for Week 1. The team may elect to slowly work in the rookie Sunday, especially considering he missed plenty of camp dealing with the injury, but his role remains unclear for now.

Nelson (knee) may not be ready for the season opener against the 49ers, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Nelson suffered a sprained MCL early in training camp and hasn't played in any of the three preseason games. Even once healthy, the rookie fourth-round will likely be playing catch-up after missing so much time during his first camp.