Abdullah Anderson Bio
Abdullah Anderson Jr. (born January 24, 1996) is an American professional football defensive end who has spent his career in the National Football League. He played college football for the Bucknell Bison before signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Over the following years, Anderson moved between practice squads and active rosters across several NFL franchises.
Across his professional career, Anderson has been part of eight different NFL organizations, including the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, and Washington Commanders. His journeyman path reflects the resilience required of undrafted players attempting to carve out a long career in professional football.
Early Life and Background
Abdullah Anderson Jr. was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on January 24, 1996. He grew up in nearby Galloway Township and attended Absegami High School, where he developed his athletic foundation before eventually turning his focus toward football. Anderson is the only son of Abdullah Anderson Sr. and Octavia Anderson, and he has one older sister, Amira.
Although Anderson had played youth football, he originally expected to pursue college basketball. As a senior at Absegami, he approached Braves coach Dennis Scuderi Jr. and asked to play one final prep season of football. His performance that year was strong enough to draw the attention of Bucknell University coach Joe Susan, opening the door to a collegiate career.
Anderson committed to reshaping his body for the college game, transforming from roughly 235 pounds as a high school senior to about 300 pounds during his time at Bucknell. That physical transformation laid the groundwork for his role as a defensive lineman.
Path to American Football
Anderson enrolled at Bucknell University, where he majored in economics while playing for the Bucknell Bison football program. As a freshman, he started all 11 games at defensive tackle, becoming one of only five defensive players to start every game and the only freshman on the team to do so. The immediate workload signaled his long-term value to the defensive line.
By his sophomore year, Anderson was a fixture on the Bison defense, starting all 11 games and totaling 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and three pass breakups. His junior season brought further recognition, including second-place ranking in the Patriot League in tackles for loss and a third-place ranking in sacks, along with Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week honors in November 2016.
His senior campaign in 2017 cemented his legacy at Bucknell, earning him the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year award and the NCAA FCS Collegiate Player of the Year honor from the Brooks-Irvine Memorial Football Club. He was also named second-team All-American by the Associated Press, completing his rise from lightly recruited senior-year convert to one of the top FCS defensive players in the country.
Abdullah Anderson Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Before the 2018 NFL draft, Anderson participated in private workouts with the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. After going undrafted, he signed with the Chicago Bears and was released during final roster cuts before landing on the team’s practice squad. He signed a future/reserve contract that kept him with the Bears through the 2019 offseason.
Anderson made the 2019 Bears’ final roster and debuted in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers. His most memorable early moment came in the third quarter of a 36–25 loss to the New Orleans Saints on October 20, 2019, when he recorded his first career NFL sack on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. He finished the play with a tackle for loss and two total tackles, a performance that highlighted his ability to disrupt opposing backfields.
Chicago Bears Era (2018–2020)
Anderson’s time with the Chicago Bears established him as a determined practice squad contributor. He cycled between the practice squad and the 53-man roster multiple times during the 2019 season, including being promoted on September 23 to add defensive line depth after an injury to Bilal Nichols. Each promotion reflected the Bears’ confidence in his preparation.
He was among the final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, before being placed on the practice squad a day later. The Bears released him on September 14, 2020, ending his initial three-year stint with the organization.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2020)
On September 21, 2020, Anderson signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on November 7 for the team’s Week 9 game against the Detroit Lions before reverting to the practice squad. His practice squad contract expired after the season on January 11, 2021.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2021)
Anderson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on April 12, 2021, hoping to find a more permanent role on the defensive line. He was waived on August 17, 2021, as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season.
Green Bay Packers Era (2021–2022)
Anderson signed with the Green Bay Packers on August 25, 2021, and was released as part of final roster cuts on August 31. After a brief release, he was re-signed to the practice squad the following day and was released again on September 21, 2021. He returned to the Packers’ practice squad on November 2, 2021, and was elevated to the active roster multiple times during the final weeks of the season.
Tennessee Titans Era (2021, 2024)
On September 29, 2021, Anderson signed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad before being released on October 26. He later returned to the Titans on August 16, 2024, was released on August 27, and was re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 19, 2024, played in four games during the season, and signed a reserve/future contract with Tennessee on January 6, 2025. The Titans released him on May 13, 2025.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022)
Anderson signed with the Atlanta Falcons on August 7, 2022, and was signed to the 53-man roster on September 1. After being released on September 10, he joined the practice squad two days later and was promoted to the active roster on September 19. He found a more permanent home with the Falcons that season, appearing in 16 games.
Washington Commanders Era (2023)
Anderson signed with the Washington Commanders on March 17, 2023, was released on August 29, and re-signed two days later. After another release on October 14, he returned to the practice squad. During the 2023 season, he played seven games and recorded eight tackles along with a fumble recovery.
Abdullah Anderson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Abdullah Anderson Jr. is the son of Abdullah Anderson Sr. and Octavia Anderson and grew up alongside one older sister, Amira, in Galloway Township, New Jersey. His family’s support shaped his transformation from a 235-pound high school senior into a 300-pound professional defensive lineman.
Personal Life
Anderson’s cousin, Austin Johnson, is a professional football player who has played in the NFL and currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Beyond his athletic family ties, Anderson has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout his journeyman career.
2025 Season Performance
Anderson entered 2025 with the Tennessee Titans after signing a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025. His continued presence on the roster reflected the organization’s interest in retaining veteran defensive line depth built up over the 2024 campaign.
On May 13, 2025, the Titans released Anderson, opening a new chapter in his career as he searched for another opportunity. His experience across multiple teams and ability to contribute on both practice squads and active rosters positioned him as a dependable depth option for organizations in need of defensive line help.
Looking ahead, Anderson remains an experienced defensive end capable of providing rotational depth and special teams value. His career trajectory underscores the persistence required of undrafted players seeking longevity in the NFL, and his next landing spot will likely depend on training camp needs across the league.