Badgers in the NFL: Nick Nelson placed on IR by Raiders

The Oakland Raiders placed former Wisconsin Badgers defensive back Nick Nelson on the injured reserve, ending his season.

The Oakland Raiders placed former Wisconsin Badgers defensive back Nick Nelson on the injured reserve, ending his season after he appeared in just two NFL games.

Nelson was originally a fourth round pick by Oakland in 2018. After appearing in 10 games his rookie year, he spent most of the 2019 season on the practice squad before getting recalled to replace safety DJ Swearinger earlier this month.

Nelson appeared in two games, recording just one snap on defense but 21 as a special teamer for the Raiders in weeks 15 and 16.

Although he has fallen down the pecking order for playing time at the cornerback position, his contributions as a special teamer should keep him around next year, depending on the severity of his injury.

Nelson spent his first two collegiate seasons at Hawaii before transferring to Wisconsin and starting 14 games in 2017, recording 35 combined tackles and 21 passes defended with the Badgers – which topped the entire NCAA.

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