Anthony

Nelson

Nelson was drafted by the Bucs in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He had made four starts until 2022 when the team elevated him to a larger role. Nelson was credited with eight starts last year and earned a career-high, 57 percent snap share on defense. He has 10.5 sacks and 11 TFLs over the past two seasons.

Without Vernon Hargreaves (waived) and Stewart available, Bucs are expected to start Carlton Davis, No. 39 overall pick Sean Murphy-Bunting, and No. 94 overall pick Jamel Dean. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin should also have an easier time roaming free without Marshon Lattimore (hamstring, out) covering either.

The injury is to his right knee. Nelson, who hasn’t practiced since August 5, is looking at a 4-6 week absence. While the former Iowa Hawkeye seems likely to miss the remainder of Tampa Bay’s preseason slate, he should be back sometime during the opening month, if not by Week 1.

Nelson (6’7/271) turned pro as a redshirt junior after starting for two years as a Hawkeye, tallying 31 career TFLs with 23 sacks and four forced fumbles and earning second-team All-Big Ten in 2018. Nelson’s athleticism popped in Indy with 79th-percentile SPARQ results, including 4.82 speed and a twitched-up 6.95 three-cone time, incredible for a 271-pound lineman. He also aced the Wonderlic Test (39). With nearly 35-inch arms, Nelson’s strengths are length and motor, but his height can work against him in the trenches, and he likely doesn’t project as a double-digit sack pass rusher. Still, Nelson’s tools and movement skills raise his floor as a probable rotational asset at worst.