Abdullah Anderson

Abdullah Malik Anderson Jr. (born January 24, 1996) is an American football defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Bucknell. Anderson signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and spent three seasons with them before playing with several other NFL teams.

Abdullah Anderson
refer to caption
Anderson in 2022
No. 92 – Washington Commanders
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1996-01-24) January 24, 1996
Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
High school:Absegami (Galloway Township, NJ)
College:Bucknell (2014–2017)
Undrafted:2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
  • Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year (2017)
  • FCS Collegiate Player of the Year (2017)
  • 3× first-team All-Patriot League (2015–2017)
  • Second-team FCS All-American (2017)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2023
Tackles:51
Sacks:2.5
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life

Anderson was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on January 24, 1996. He grew up in nearby Galloway Township and attended Absegami High School.[1] He is the only son of Abdullah Anderson Sr. and Octavia Anderson. Anderson has one older sister, Amira.[2]

College career

Anderson attended Bucknell, where he majored in Economics. As a freshman, he started all 11 games at defensive tackle; he was one of five defensive players to start every game and the only freshman on team to do so.[2]

During his second year in 2015, Anderson was one of six defensive players to start all 11 games and one of three defensive linemen to start every game. He totaled 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and three pass breakups from defensive tackle position. He ranked seventh on team in tackles and fifth on squad in tackles for loss.[2]

In his junior season, Anderson started all 11 games on the defensive line for a third straight year. He ranked fourth on team with 55 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and two blocked kicks. Anderson ranked second in Patriot League in tackles for loss and ranked third in Patriot League in sacks. He was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week on November 21 after totaling five tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one pass breakup and two blocked field goals against Fordham.[2]

During his senior year in 2017, Anderson recorded 42 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception, and blocked an extra point. In addition to being named All-Patriot League for the fourth time, he was named the 2017 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and NCAA FCS Collegiate Player of the Year by the Brooks-Irvine Memorial Football Club.[3] He was also named second-team All-American by the Associated Press.[4]

Anderson ended his college career with 43 starts in which he had 171 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, and a school-record four blocked kicks.[3]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 3+1⁄4 in
(1.91 m)		 303 lb
(137 kg)		 32+5⁄8 in
(0.83 m)		 10+3⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		5.12 s1.75 s2.89 s4.68 s7.38 s30.0 in
(0.76 m)		8 ft 10 in
(2.69 m)		32 reps
All values from Pro Day[5][6]

Chicago Bears

Before the 2018 NFL Draft, Anderson participated in private workouts with the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.[7] After not being selected in the draft, he signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent.[8] He was released during final roster cuts and signed to the team's practice squad.[9][10] He remained with the team for the 2019 offseason after signing a future/reserve contract.[11]

Anderson made the 2019 Bears' final roster and played in his maiden NFL game in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers.[12] He was waived on September 11 and moved to the practice squad to make room for tight end J. P. Holtz,[13][14] but was promoted to the active roster on September 23 to increase defensive line depth following Bilal Nichols' injury.[12] He was waived on September 30 and re-signed to the team's practice squad on October 1.[15][16] He was promoted to the 53-man roster again on October 14 after Kyle Long was placed on injured reserve.[17]

In the third quarter of the Bears' 36–25 loss to the New Orleans Saints on October 20, 2019, Anderson recorded his first career NFL sack on Teddy Bridgewater. In addition to his sack, Anderson had a tackle for loss and two total tackles.[18]

Anderson was among the final roster cuts on September 5, 2020,[19] before being placed on the practice squad a day later.[20] He was released on September 14.[21]

Minnesota Vikings

On September 21, 2020, Anderson was signed to the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad.[22] He was elevated to the active roster on November 7 for the team's week 9 game against the Detroit Lions, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[23] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 11, 2021.[24]

Pittsburgh Steelers

Anderson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on April 12, 2021.[25] He was waived on August 17, 2021.[26]

Green Bay Packers

On August 25, 2021, Anderson signed with the Green Bay Packers.[27] On August 31, 2021, Packers released Anderson as part of their final roster cuts.[28] He was signed to the practice squad the next day.[29] He was released on September 21, 2021.[30]

Tennessee Titans

On September 29, 2021, Anderson was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.[31] He was released on October 26.[32]

Green Bay Packers (second stint)

On November 2, 2021, Anderson was signed to the Green Bay Packers practice squad.[33] He was elevated to the active roster on December 18 ahead of a week 15 game against Baltimore Ravens.[34] He was elevated to the active roster again on January 1, 2022, ahead of a Week 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings.[35] He was elevated to the active roster the third time on January 8, 2022, ahead of a Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions.[36]

Atlanta Falcons

On August 7, 2022, Anderson signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[37] On September 1, 2022, Anderson was signed to the 53 man roster for the Falcons.[38] The Falcons released Anderson on September 10, 2022, a day before the start of the 2022 season.[39] He was signed to the practice squad two days later.[40] He was promoted to the active roster on September 19.[41]

Washington Commanders

Anderson signed with the Washington Commanders on March 17, 2023.[42] He was released on August 29, 2023, but re-signed two days later.[43][44] On October 14, he was released again and signed to the practice squad two days later.[45][46]

Career NFL statistics

Regular season
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSackIntYardsAvgLngTDPDFFFRYardsTD
2019CHI 604311000.00000000
2020MIN 100000000.00000000
2021GB 302110000.00000000
2022ATL 1683712251000.00010000
Career2684316272000.00010000
Source: NFL.com

References
  1. Gill, Mike. "Absegami Grad Abdullah Anderson Heading to Windy City", WPEN (FM), April 28, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2019. "The Galloway Township product had a very good showing at the NFL combine, allowing him to jump on NFL teams radar, getting workouts with multiple teams including the Seahawks and 49ers... He was the 2017 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, and in 43 career games, the 2014 Absegami alum accumulated 171 tackles, 33.5 tackles for a loss, 15.5 sacks and four blocked kicks."
  2. "Abdullah Anderson". Bucknell Bison. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  3. "Bucknell's Abdullah Anderson Signs with Chicago Bears". Bucknell Bison. April 28, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  4. "Bucknell's Anderson signed to Bears' practice squad". The Daily Item. September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  5. "2018 NFL Draft Scout Abdullah Anderson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  6. "Abdullah Anderson 2018 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  7. Larrabee, Kirk (April 12, 2018). "49ers workout Bucknell defensive tackle Abdullah Anderson". 247Sports.com. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  8. Mayer, Larry (May 10, 2018). "Roster Moves: Bears ink 15 undrafted rookie free agents". Chicago Bears. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  9. Smith, Michael David (September 1, 2018). "Khalil Mack trade official, Bears down to 53". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  10. Campbell, Rich (September 3, 2018). "Bears announce their 10-man practice squad". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  11. Finley, Patrick (January 8, 2019). "Bears sign 10 players to futures contracts". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  12. Barbieri, Alyssa (September 23, 2019). "Bears sign DT Abdullah Anderson, waive TE Bradley Sowell". USA Today. Bears Wire. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  13. Mayer, Larry (September 11, 2019). "Roster moves: Bears add TE Holtz, waive DT Anderson". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  14. Wiltfong Jr., Lester A. (September 13, 2019). "Bears sign Abdullah Anderson to the practice squad, release James Vaughters". Windy City Gridiron. SB Nation. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  15. "Bears waive DL Abdullah Anderson". Bears Wire. September 30, 2019.
  16. @BearsPR (October 1, 2019). "#Bears roster move: We have signed DL Abdullah Anderson to the practice squad" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. "Bears put Kyle Long on IR, promote Abdullah Anderson". The Washington Post. Associated Press. October 14, 2019. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  18. Weinberg, David (October 21, 2019). "Local NFL update: Abdullah Anderson earns first career sack for Bears". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  19. Mayer, Larry (September 5, 2020). "Roster Moves: Chicago Bears announce 53-man roster". Chicago Bears. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  20. Mayer, Larry (September 6, 2020). "Roster Moves: Bears sign 16 to practice squad". Chicago Bears. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  21. Mayer, Larry (September 14, 2020). "Roster Moves: Ledarius Mack joins practice squad". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  22. "Vikings Place LB Anthony Barr on IR; Sign DT Abdullah Anderson to Practice Squad". Minnesota Vikings. September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  23. "Vikings Elevate Brett Jones to Active Roster; Announce Roster Moves". Vikings.com. November 7, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  24. "Five players have contracts expire". FantasyGuru.com. January 11, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  25. Varley, Teresa (April 12, 2021). "Steelers sign Anderson". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  26. Varley, Teresa (August 17, 2021). "Steelers reduce roster to 85 players". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  27. "Packers place WR Devin Funchess on IR, sign two". packers,com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  28. "Packers announce roster moves". packers.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  29. "Packers sign 16 players to practice squad". packers.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  30. "Packers release TE Jace Sternberger". packers.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  31. Wyatt, Jim (September 29, 2021). "Titans Move WR Marcus Johnson, DB Brady Breeze to "Designated for Return from Injured Reserve" List". TennesseeTitans.com.
  32. Wyatt, Jim (October 26, 2021). "Titans Add Two to Practice Squad, Release Three Others". TennesseeTitans.com.
  33. "Packers sign LS Steven Wirtel to active roster". packers.com. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  34. "Packers sign S Shawn Davis to active roster". packers.com. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  35. "Packers activate six off reserve/COVID-19 list". packers.com. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  36. "Packers activate C/G Josh Myers off injured reserve". packers.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  37. "Falcons reinforce defensive line with new signing". AtlantaFalcons.com. August 7, 2022.
  38. "Falcons place players on injured reserve, re-sign others".
  39. Choate, Dave (September 10, 2022). "Falcons flex TE Anthony Firkser to active roster for Sunday, cut DL Abdullah Anderson". Thefalcoholic.com.
  40. Choate, Dave (September 12, 2022). "Falcons add DL Abdullah Anderson to practice squad, place OL Tyler Vrabel on IR". Thefalcoholic.com.
  41. "Falcons add defensive lineman to active roster". AtlantaFalcons.com. September 19, 2022.
  42. "Commanders sign DL Abdullah Anderson". Commanders.com. March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  43. Selby, Zach (August 29, 2023). "Commanders release 20 players, place four on IR". Commanders.com.
  44. "Commanders sign LB Jabril Cox to practice squad amid several roster moves". Commanders.com. August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  45. Selby, Zach (October 14, 2023). "Commanders activate DE Efe Obada from Injured Reserve". Commanders.com. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  46. "Commanders sign DT Abdullah Anderson to practice squad". Commanders.com. October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
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