Player Roster

Nelson looks to expand his role in 2010 after a promising rookie season … One of two Bengals college free agent signees to make the opening 2009 roster, he played in 12 games, with three starts as an injury replacement … Had 23 tackles, one INT, two passes defensed and four special-teams tackles.

2009 PARTICIPATION: Signed by Bengals on April 30 as college free agent … Played in all four preseason games … Inactive for Games 1-3 and 5 of regular season … Played in Games 4 and 6-16, and started Games 14-16 at FS in place of injured Chris Crocker … Inactive for Wild Card playoff, as Crocker returned to lineup.

2009 HIGHLIGHTS: Made NFL debut Oct. 4 at Cleveland, playing on special teams, and logged one tackle … Saw extensive action in place of injured FS Chris Crocker on Dec. 6 vs. Detroit and logged first pro INT, snagging a Matt Stafford pass at Bengals 32 in fourth quarter … Also vs. Detroit, had additional pass defensed and two tackles … Saw extensive action for second straight week Dec. 13 at Minnesota, when he again replaced injured Crocker and logged personal season-high six tackles … Recorded first career NFL start Dec. 20 at San Diego, in place of Crocker, and had four tackles … Posted five tackles Jan. 3 at N.Y. Jets before leaving in second quarter with injured knee.

COLLEGE: Four-year standout in the FCS ranks, Nelson played the 2005-08 seasons at Illinois State, starting all 46 games he played … As a senior, led team in tackles (81) and led Missouri Valley Conference in punt returns (15.7 avg.) … Senior season included an 82-yard punt return for a TD and a 97-yard score on a kickoff return … Seven career INTs, including two in one game against Heisman Trophy finalist Chase Daniel of Missouri … Named MVC Freshman of the Year in 2005.

PERSONAL: Hometown is Arlington Heights, Ill. … Honor roll student at John Hersey High School, where as a senior QB he rushed for 900 yards and nine TDs while passing for 1034 yards and eight scores … Also lettered in high school in basketball and baseball.