The Saskatchewan Roughriders have released former NFL defensive back Nick Nelson.
The five-foot-eleven, 205-pound native of Florence, S.C. was selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He played 12 games over two seasons with the team, making three starts and collecting 20 tackles, one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery. After his release from the Raiders, he spent time with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021 but was waived with an injury during training camp.
The 27-year-old was a second-team All-American selection and first-team All-Big Ten honouree in 2017, his lone season of action at the University of Wisconsin. In 14 games that year, he made 35 tackles and one tackle for loss while leading the country with 21 pass breakups, setting a new school record in the process. He also returned 24 punts for 206 yards and one touchdown.
Prior to becoming a Badger, Nelson spent two seasons at the University of Hawaii from 2014 to 2015. In 21 games for the Rainbow Warriors, he amassed 87 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, 20 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.
The Riders have also signed American wide receiver Joe Robustelli.
The six-foot-two, 220-pound target made 20 catches for 475 yards and six touchdowns this past season at Tusculum University, a Division II program located in Tennessee.
