left the Broncos in 2018 after four seasons, fresh off a biceps tear and hoping to relaunch his career in a new city.
Instead, the inside linebacker was released by the Eagles, Falcons and Buccaneers.
Maintaining a level head required some soul searching.
“That was a tough ordeal with me getting hurt,” Nelson said. “It kind of messed me up mentally and emotionally. During that whole process, it was time for me to learn more about myself. And a time for me to grow as a man, as a father and a husband.”
It took a full-circle journey for Nelson to reclaim personal and professional peace as he stood back in the Broncos locker room Friday, reveling in a sudden opportunity to start Sunday against the Jaguars with Josey Jewell (hamstring) listed as questionable.
“He’s been a true professional,” defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said. “He was here with the Broncos before. We knew him. We trusted him. (Linebackers coach) Reggie (Herring) had coached him. He’s a selfless guy. He’ll do any role we ask him to do. He’s very valuable.”
Denver signed Nelson to the active roster Sept. 2 after being released by Tampa Bay. One week later, he started at inside linebacker at Oakland; playing 84% of all defensive snaps (46 of 55). A healthy relegated Nelson down the depth chart entering Week 3, but Jewell’s leg injury in Green Bay once again forced Nelson into a key role.
Prior to this year, Nelson had appeared in six NFL games over the past two seasons.
“Coming here and getting thrown in the fire as soon as I got here was a testament of what they think of me as a player and an individual,” Nelson said. “I’m definitely prepared and I’ll definitely be ready.”
How did Nelson rise from obscurity to a trusted reserve so quickly? He starred in Buccaneers preseason games with two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one sack. Nelson said Tampa Bay was “bummed I had to leave because they didn’t have enough room for me.” He signed quickly with the Broncos, dove headfirst into the playbook and now has six tackles in three games.
Nelson’s progress has mirrored the team’s up-and-down start defensively, but he continues to separate himself from Alexander Johnson and Josh Watson (practice squad), who both earned first-team inside linebacker snaps through training camp and preseason in the injury absence of Davis.
“Thatap what pros do; it doesn’t matter the team, you can throw them in there and they can pick it up,” defensive end said. “(Nelson) understands that he’s going to be a big player for us this year. Hopefully, he can keep catching on and by the end of the year he’ll be firing back to where itap second nature to him.”
Added coach : “I think (Nelson) did a very commendable job … learning our defense in a very short time, which just proves itap a very learnable defense. He’ll get better.”
Nelson’s previous tour with the Broncos (2014-’17) focused mostly on special teams, including six defensive starts in 2016. Nelson was in on 12 tackles and one sack during Denver’s 2015 run to a 50 title and said what he remembers most is “how close we were as a team and how hard everyone played for one another.”
That culture remains a work-in-progress with the current Broncos 0-3 hosting the Jaguars on Sunday.
“As each week comes, I become more comfortable in the defense and understand a lot of things more and how things are played,” Nelson said. “It becomes a lot easier. In my situation, it just takes time, especially when you’re coming in right at the beginning of the season.”
