Nelson suggested he'd consider coming out of retirement if quarterback Aaron Rodgers asked him to rejoin the Packers, Andrew Perloff of The Dan Patrick Show reports.
Analysis: Nelson caught 38 passes for 386 yards over the final five weeks of the 2018 campaign, but he nonetheless opted for retirement shortly after the Raiders cut him in March. It isn't clear how serious he is about continuing his career, as he also mentioned signing a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Packers. Regardless of what Rodgers and Nelson might want, Green Bay brass seemingly prefers to move forward with a host of young wide receivers alongside lead target Davante Adams. This story could gain steam in August or September if the Green Bay wideout corps is plagued by injuries.
Apr 3, 2019 8:38 AM EST
Nelson will retire from football, James Jones of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The decision comes as a surprise after Nelson finished out the 2018 campaign with 38 catches for 386 yards in five December games. The Raiders released him a couple weeks ago to free up cap space and targets for their costly offseason acquisitions, Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams. While he visited the Seahawks shortly after his release, Nelson apparently had a change of heart and now plans to end his football career. The 33-year-old will retire with 613 catches for 8,587 yards and 72 touchdowns, highlighted by four seasons (2011, 2013-14, 2016) with more than 1,250 yards for the Packers.
Mar 27, 2019 7:11 AM EST
Nelson is scheduled to visit with the Seahawks on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The Raiders hope to re-sign Nelson at a lower price after they released him last week, and the Patriots, Titans and Chiefs have also expressed interest. The 33-year-old wide receiver will begin his free-agent journey in Seattle, where he'd have a good chance to beat out David Moore for the No. 3 wideout job behind Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett. It wouldn't be the best place to establish fantasy value, as the Seahawks easily led the NFL in run-play percentage (52.4) last year.
Mar 18, 2019 7:42 AM EST
The Raiders have released Nelson, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The Raiders' overhaul at the receiver position continues, with Nelson sent packing after one season with the team, in which he caught 63 passes for 739 yards and three TDs in 15 games. Oakland's wideout depth chart is now topped by Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams, while the 33-year-old Nelson will look to catch on elsewhere, two seasons removed from a 14 TD effort for the Packers in 2016.
Mar 14, 2019 2:08 PM EST
Nelson had nine catches (12 targets) for 78 yards in Sunday's 35-3 loss to the Chiefs.
Analysis: It has been a year of ups and downs for Nelson, but he has really come into his own to finish out the season. The veteran is averaging 7.6 catches and 77.2 yards over his last five games, taking over as the Raiders' top wideout following the trade deadline departure of Amari Cooper. Nelson already expressed interest in staying in Oakland for the final year of his two-year deal, but with a slew of draft picks on hand, it's tough to predict what type of role the 33-year-old will have on a rebuilding team with what should be a new crop of young wideouts.
Dec 30, 2018 7:29 PM EST
Nelson plans to stay with the Raiders for 2019, Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Analysis: Signed to a two-year, $14.2 million contract, Nelson has come on strong late in the season, catching 29 of 34 targets for 308 yards the past four games. His days as a true No. 1 receiver are long gone, but his season mark of 8.7 yards per target represents a massive rebound from an ugly 2017 campaign in Green Bay (5.5 YPT). Nelson and Raiders coach Jon Gruden both seem to be on board for another season working together, though it won't come as a huge surprise if the team asks the 33-year-old to accept a pay cut. Before any of that can happen, Nelson will try to cement his value during a Week 17 contest in Kansas City, facing a defense that allowed him to catch 10 of 11 targets for 97 yards in a 40-33 loss Dec. 2.
Dec 26, 2018 5:01 PM EST
Nelson racked up seven receptions for 75 yards during Monday's 27-14 win against Denver.
Analysis: Nelson has been integral to the Raiders passing game in commanding 36 targets over the past four outings, a stark contrast from his four targets per game average established between Weeks 1 and 12. Additionally, the veteran wideout has amassed 48-plus receiving yards in four straight games after exceeding that mark just once through his first 10 appearances for the Silver and Black. Week 17 presents a promising matchup for the 33-year-old Nelson, as the Raiders travel to Arrowhead to take on a Chiefs defense that ranks bottom five in catches (211) and receiving yards (2,643) allowed to opposing wide receivers this season.
Dec 24, 2018 10:12 PM EST
Nelson caught six of eight targets for 88 yards during Sunday's 30-14 loss to the Bengals.
Analysis: Nelson led the team in targets, catches and receiving yards. A large chunk of his production came on a 44-yard gain that set up a field goal, but he failed to do make many other contributions. Despite the team's offensive woes as a whole, Nelson has been quite productive of late, with 22 catches for 233 yards combined over the last three games.
Dec 16, 2018 4:37 PM EST
Nelson caught six of seven targets for 48 yards in Sunday's 24-21 win over the Steelers.
Analysis: Nelson's return to full strength after dealing with a knee injury in November has been a major key for quarterback Derek Carr's resurgence, as the latter racked up 607 passing yards and five touchdowns to no interceptions over the past two games. Nelson's stat line during the same stretch includes 16 catches on 18 targets for 145 yards, though he's earned just one total look in the red zone dating back to Week 6. He'll look to maintain recent momentum against the Bengals on Sunday in what will be a battle between two teams without playoff hopes.
Dec 10, 2018 2:34 PM EST
Nelson corralled 10 of 11 targets, logging 97 receiving yards during Sunday's 40-33 loss to Kansas City.
Analysis: The 33-year-old wideout has had his moments this season, but unfortunately for once bright-eyed fantasy owners, those instances have been few and far between. Nelson's 97 receiving yards Sunday were his most since Week 3, but he failed to exceed an output of 50 yards in any of the seven appearances between those two noteworthy performances. The value just hasn't been there for the 11-year veteran, even operating within a top 15 Oakland passing attack, as Nelson has averaged 2.1 catches and 20 receiving yards per game outside of his two games going over 95 receiving yards in Weeks 3 and 13. Upcoming next is a matchup against a Steelers defense that's been formidable in defending the pass in 2018, allowing just 223.3 yards per game (sixth-fewest in the NFL).
Dec 2, 2018 7:48 PM EST
Nelson (knee) isn't listed on the Wednesday injury report, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Analysis: This comes as a bit of a surprise given coach Jay Gruden's recent comment that Nelson was "obviously not 100 percent" during Sunday's 34-17 loss to Baltimore. The 33-year-old wideout played 52 of 58 snaps on offense in the contest, finishing with one carry for negative-two yards and zero catches on one target. Despite the upgrade in his injury status, Nelson doesn't inspire much confidence heading into Sunday's matchup with the Chiefs.
Nov 28, 2018 4:16 PM EST
Nelson (knee) led Raiders' wide receivers with 52 offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Ravens despite being "obviously not 100 percent" according to coach Jon Gruden, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Analysis: Nelson may have only sat out six offensive snaps Sunday but was essentially a non-factor as he failed to catch his lone target and had one carry for negative-two yards. Seth Roberts and Marcell Ateman are currently serving as the team's No. 2 and 3 receivers, leaving Nelson as the clear top option at wide receiver -- on paper, anyway -- despite the injury. The 33-year-old's practice participation later this week should provide additional clarity for his Week 13 status.
Nov 26, 2018 3:43 PM EST
Nelson did not haul in his lone target during Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Ravens. He lost two yards on a single carry.
Analysis: Nelson now has just two targets and no catches in his last two games. You'd have to go back to Week 5 for the last time the veteran target topped 20 yards in a game or scored. The Raiders' pass offense has been ugly lately, failing to reach 200 yards in three out of their last four games. Next Sunday's game against the Chiefs might be the cure if for no other reason than that the Raiders will likely need to throw a ton to keep up with the Chiefs.
Nov 25, 2018 3:48 PM EST
Nelson (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Ravens.
Analysis: Nelson's return from a one-game absence is critical with Martavis Bryant (knee) set to miss a second straight game and Brandon LaFell (Achilles) done for the season after getting hurt in the Week 11 win over the Cardinals. Despite following a limited practice regimen this week, Nelson will likely be in store for a full snap load and could benefit from more target volume than normal due to aforementioned absences. Nelson's fantasy upside still seems fairly low, however, given that he logged more than 50 receiving yards just once in his prior nine appearances this season.
Nov 25, 2018 8:35 AM EST
Nelson (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, is expected to play, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Analysis: Nelson's anticipated return from a one-game absence due to a bone bruise would provide a boon to a Raiders receiving corps lacking in established options following the trade of Amari Cooper to the Cowboys and injuries to Martavis Bryant (knee) and Brandon LaFell (Achilles). With only 25 receptions for 353 yards and three touchdowns through nine appearances this season, Nelson won't be the elixir for what ails the Oakland offense, but he should at least benefit from added target volume with the aforementioned names out of the mix.
Nov 25, 2018 6:30 AM EST
Nelson (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Baltimore.
Analysis: Nelson was limited at practice throughout the week, never quite making it back to full participation. A 2-8 team might normally take a cautious approach with a 33-year-old player, but the Raiders are badly in need of any NFL-level receiving talent they can get in the lineup. The team will release its inactive list approximately 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 PM EST kickoff.
Nov 23, 2018 12:43 PM EST
Nelson (knee) remained listed as limited at Thursday's practice, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: If Nelson is able to return for Sunday's game against the Ravens, he'd be a very welcome addition to Oakland's thinned-out receiving corps. The 33-year-old's production to date has been relatively modest, but ample snaps await him once healthy.
Nov 22, 2018 1:38 PM EST
Nelson (knee) was limited at Wednesday's practice.
Analysis: Coach Jon Gruden previously relayed that Nelson has a chance to return for Sunday's game against the Ravens. While that's not a lock to occur at this stage, the veteran wideout would be a very welcome addition to the Raiders' thinned-out receiving corps.
Nov 21, 2018 4:20 PM EST
Coach Jon Gruden said Nelson (knee) has a chance to return for Sunday's game in Baltimore, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Nelson's inability to practice in any capacity last week suggests he may have a tough time avoiding another absence. The Raiders certainly could use him back in the lineup after losing Brandon LaFell to a torn Achilles in Sunday's 23-21 win over the Cardinals. The matchup doesn't portend success if Nelson is able to play.
Nov 19, 2018 1:41 PM EST
Nelson (knee) is now listed as out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals after not practicing this week, both Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area and Vic Tafur of The Athletic report.
Analysis: It was initially reported that Nelson would be listed as questionable, but it's not a surprise to see that he won't play after missing all three of Oakland's Week 11 practice sessions. In any case, the veteran wideout hasn't been much of a factor over his last four games, with just five catches for 36 yards in that span. With Martavis Bryant (knee) also out Sunday, the Raiders' top options at wide receiver would Brandon LaFell and Seth Roberts.
Nov 16, 2018 12:42 PM EST
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