ALAMEDA — Jordy Nelson was Jon Gruden’s big-name signing this offseason, the 33-year-old who supposedly still had the jets and hands to be an effective wide receiver in the NFL.
Through two weeks – yes, it’s only two games – he’s yet to live up to that billing.
While Jared Cook (nine catches for 180 yards in Week 1) and Amari Cooper (10 catches for 116 yards in Week 2) have already posted big games, Nelson has caught only five passes for 53 yards over two weeks. On Sunday alone, Nelson caught more punts than passes. He served as temporary punt returner with Dwayne Harris nursing a foot injury, and registered two fair catches, one 7-yard return and two catches from Derek Carr for 30 yards.