Former Badger Jack Nelson has struggled during the Falcons' preseason games. As a seventh-round pick, he's simply hoping to make the roster or practice squad, develop, and then turn into a key NFL player. However, key injuries are happening around him and above him on the depth chart, and he may be thrown into the deep end of the NFL sooner rather than later.
Nelson, in his last game against the Tennessee Titans, looked outmatched and unsure of himself, as evidenced by multiple holding penalties. It wasn't good for his prospects of making the roster. And then swing tackle Storm Norton went down with an injury that will sideline him 6-8 weeks.
Jack Nelson may end up being the starting right tackle protecting Michael Penix
Related: Undrafted Joe Huber again among the NFL’s top-ranked rookies
It gets worse for the Falcons as then Kaleb McGary, the starting right tackle (which is Michael Penix's blind side), is now out with an injury. He was carted off the field in the final practice of the preseason for the Atlanta Falcons. The timeline for him is less certain, but early indications are a few games at least.
That makes the depth extremely thin, and for now, Elijah Wilkinson will take over the primary right tackle duties. He's the backup left guard. Behind him, according to the Falcons website, is Jack Nelson. If things continue to shuffle, Nelson could be in the most important position on the whole line, right tackle for a left-handed quarterback.
From struggling one game to a potential starter the next, this final preseason game for the Falcons will be important to figure out how they go about building a competent offensive line that may end up featuring a seventh-round pick that has yet to prove he's ready for it.
For Nelson, he's gotta seize the opportunity and do what he did well at Wisconsin, anchor the line, stand up defenders, and protect the quarterback. The Falcons play tonight (Friday) at 7 pm CST.