Released by the Eagles after what amounted to an offseason stay with the defending Super Bowl champions, Corey Nelson auditioned for the Buccaneers on Monday, veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer tweets.
Nelson did not fare well in Philadelphia’s competition to replace Mychal Kendricks, but he has four years’ experience as a Broncos backup. He started six games for the 2016 Broncos as well.
Tampa Bay already added two Philadelphia free agent defenders this offseason in Beau Allen and Vinny Curry, and while Nelson did not play for the Eagles beyond preseason work, it would be interesting if he made a trip south as well.
The Bucs are thin at linebacker presently. Beyond three-down ‘backers Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander, the Bucs have just Cameron Lynch, Adarius Taylor and sixth-round rookie Jack Cichy healthy going into Week 1. Tampa Bay placed both Riley Bullough and 2016 sixth-rounder Davante Bond on IR on Saturday, and Kendell Beckwith resides on the NFI list.