Hardy Nickerson Jr.

Hardy Nickerson Jr.
refer to caption
Nickerson with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017
No. 56, 47
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1994-01-05) January 5, 1994 (age 30)
Oakland, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, California)
College:California
Illinois
Undrafted:2017
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:97
Forced fumbles:3
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Hardy William Lindsay Nickerson[1] (born January 5, 1994) is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football for three years for the California Golden Bears and was a grad-transfer for the Illinois Fighting Illini, where he played for his father Hardy Nickerson.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+5⁄8 in
(1.82 m) 		232 lb
(105 kg) 		32 in
(0.81 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)		 4.78 s 1. 62 s 2.73 s 4.38 s 7.30 s 33 in
(0.84 m)		 9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)		 18 reps
All values from NFL Combine / Pro Day[2]

Cincinnati Bengals

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2017

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Nickerson went undrafted during the 2017 NFL draft. On April 30, 2017, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Nickerson to a three-year, $1.66 million contract.[3]

Throughout training camp, Nickerson competed for a roster spot against Brandon Bell, Bryson Albright, Paul Dawson, Jordan Evans, and Marquis Flowers.[4] Head coach Marvin Lewis named Nickerson a backup middle linebacker to begin the regular season, behind Kevin Minter .[5]

He made his professional regular season debut during the Cincinnati Bengals' season-opening 20–0 loss against the Baltimore Ravens. On September 28, 2017, the Bengals waived Nickerson and was signed him to their practice squad the next day.[6][7] On October 16, 2017, the Cincinnati Bengals promoted Nickerson to their active roster.[8] On November 14, 2017, the Cincinnati Bengals waived Nickerson, but re-signed him to the practice squad the next day.[9] On November 18, 2017, Nickerson was promoted back to the active roster.[10] On December 17, 2017, Nickerson earned his first career start after Vontaze Burfict and Kevin Minter sustained injuries. Nickerson recorded five combined tackles in his first career start as the Bengals lost at the Minnesota Vikings 34–7 in Week 15. In Week 17, he collected a season-high seven solo tackles and deflected a pass during a 31–27 victory at the Baltimore Ravens.[11] He finished his rookie season in 2017 with 18 combined tackles (12 solo) and one pass deflection in 14 games and two starts.[12]

2018

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On January 8, 2018, the Cincinnati Bengals announced their decision to hire former Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator Teryl Austin as the new defensive coordinator after it was left vacant by the departure of Paul Guenther to the Oakland Raiders.[13] Nickerson entered training camp slated as a backup middle linebacker. He was named the backup middle linebacker to start the regular season, behind Preston Brown.[14] In Week 11, Nickerson collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (eight solo) during a 24–21 loss at the Baltimore Ravens.[15]

2019

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On September 1, 2019, Nickerson was waived by the Bengals and re-signed to the practice squad.[16] He was promoted to the active roster on November 15, 2019.[17]

Minnesota Vikings

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Nickerson was signed by the Minnesota Vikings on August 18, 2020.[18] He was waived on September 6, 2020, and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[19][20] He was elevated to the active roster on September 12 for the team's week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[21] He was promoted to the active roster on September 22, 2020.[22] He was waived on December 1, 2020,[23] and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[24] He was promoted to the active roster again on December 12.[25] In Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints on Christmas Day, Nickerson recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Drew Brees during the 52–33 loss.[26]

Houston Texans

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Nickerson signed with the Houston Texans on March 22, 2021.[27] He was released on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad.[28][29] He was released on September 8, but he re-signed on Sept. 21.[30] The Texans signed him to their active roster on November 3.[31] He was placed on injured reserve on November 20.[32]

Personal life

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His father Hardy Nickerson is a former linebacker who played 16 seasons in the National Football League as a member of the Steelers, Buccaneers, Jaguars, and Packers. He was five-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time All-Pro selection and is a member on the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.

References

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  1. ^ "Illinois Fighting Illini Profile". August 29, 2017.
  2. ^ "NFL Draft profile: Hardy Nickerson Jr". NFL.com. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  3. ^ Marcum, Jason (May 5, 2017). "Undrafted Free Agents 2017: Bengals announce college free agent signings, tryouts". CincyJungle.com. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  4. ^ "2017 Bengals Competition: Defensive Line and Linebackers". Yahoo.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  5. ^ Marcum, Jason (September 5, 2017). "Bengals release Week 1 depth chart: Joe Mixon RB3; Pat Sims starting at NT". cincyjungle.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  6. ^ Marcum, Jason (September 28, 2017). "Bengals waive Hardy Nickerson to make room for Vontaze Burfict". CincyJungle.com.
  7. ^ Marcum, Jason (September 29, 2017). "Bengals sign Hardy Nickerson to practice squad, cut Cole Toner from it". CincyJungle.com.
  8. ^ Marcum, Jason (October 16, 2017). "Bengals extend Clark Harris; make pair of roster moves including Hardy Nickerson". CincyJungle.com.
  9. ^ Hobson, Geoff (November 14, 2017). "Roster moves: Rookie Hill replaces vet Hill at running back; Nickerson waived". Bengals.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018.
  10. ^ Toback, Rebecca (November 18, 2017). "Roster news: Bengals cut Pat Sims, promote Hardy Nickerson from practice squad". CincyJungle.com.
  11. ^ "NFL Player stats: Hardy Nickerson Jr. (2017)". NFL.com. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  12. ^ "NFL Player stats: Hardy Nickerson Jr. (career)". NFL.com. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  13. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (January 8, 2018). "Bengals hire Teryl Austin as defensive coordinator". NFL.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  14. ^ "Bengals depth chart: Alex Redmond to start at right guard in Week 1". cincyjungle.com. September 4, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  15. ^ "NFL Player stats: Hardy Nickerson Jr. (2018)". NFL.com. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  16. ^ "Bengals waive Josh Malone and Hardy Nickerson". CincyJungle.com. September 1, 2019.
  17. ^ "Bengals Sign Willis and Nickerson, Place Kirkpatrick on the Reserve/Injured List". Bengals.com. November 15, 2019.
  18. ^ "Vikings Sign LB Hardy Nickerson". www.vikings.com. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  19. ^ "Vikings Claim LB Ryan Connelly, Add 13 Players To Practice Squad". Vikings.com. September 6, 2020.
  20. ^ "Vikings Announce Roster Moves to Fill Initial Practice Squad". Vikings.com. September 8, 2020.
  21. ^ Alper, Josh (September 12, 2020). "Vikings sign Nate Meadors, promote Hardy Nickerson from practice squad". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  22. ^ Williams, Charean (September 22, 2020). "Vikings sign Hardy Nickerson to active roster". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  23. ^ "Vikings Waive LS Austin Cutting and LB Hardy Nickerson; Announce Roster Moves". Vikings.com. December 1, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  24. ^ @Vikings (December 3, 2020). "The #Vikings have signed LB Hardy Nickerson (@younghardy_) to the practice squad" (Tweet). Retrieved January 10, 2021 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ White, Jack (December 12, 2020). "Vikings sign linebacker Hardy Nickerson to the active roster". USAToday.com. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  26. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – December 25th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  27. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (3-22-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  28. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (8-31-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. August 31, 2021.
  29. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (9-1-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. September 1, 2021.
  30. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (9-21-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. September 21, 2021.
  31. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (11-3-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. November 3, 2021.
  32. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (11-20-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. November 20, 2021.
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