ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have re-signed free agent S Reggie Nelson, the club announced Friday.
Nelson spent the last two seasons manning the secondary for the Raiders, starting all 32 games for the Silver and Black. In 2017, he posted the second-most tackles on the team, totaling 96 stops (71 solo), one interception, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles. Since joining the club in 2016, he has recorded a team-best eight takeaways and was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl during his first season as a Raider.
Over his 11-year career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals and Raiders, Nelson has played in 170 games and made 157 starts, totaled 820 tackles (594 solo), 6.5 sacks, 36 interceptions with one returned for a score, 91 passes defensed, 10 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. Nelson is a two-time Pro Bowler (2015-16), and his 43 takeaways and 36 interceptions since he entered the league in 2007 lead all active players.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round (21st overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. After playing his first three seasons with the Jaguars, Nelson spent six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2010-15. His stint in Cincinnati was highlighted by a 2015 campaign in which he would lead the league with 10 total takeaways and also tie for the NFL lead with eight interceptions en route to earning his first career Pro Bowl honor.
The Melbourne, Fla., native started 18 of his 25 games over two seasons at Florida from 2005-06. As a senior in 2006, Nelson posted six interceptions to help lead the Gators to a BCS National Championship, earning a first-team All-American selection and the Jack Tatum Award as the nation's top defensive back.
