Wilson tallied 78 tackles (49 solo), two pass defenses (including an interception), a forced fumble and two recovered fumbles -- one of which he returned for a touchdown -- over 17 games during the 2024 regular season. After being selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the NFL Draft, Wilson played in all 17 regular-season games for the team and was a key component of a three-player rotation at inside linebacker. He had two games with double-digit stops, and his biggest highlight may have been a fumble recovery for a touchdown in Week 13 against Cincinnati. Given his strong first campaign in the NFL, Wilson appears set to be key part of the Steelers' defense for at least the next few years.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Payton Wilson news
Team
Pittsburgh Steelers
Birthdate
4/21/2000 (25)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'4", 242 lbs
Draft Info
2024: Rd 3; Pk (PIT)
Birthplace
Hillsborough, NC, USA
Position
LB
College
North Carolina State
Career History
Pittsburgh Steelers
2024-Present
(1 season)
Wilson tallied 78 tackles (49 solo), two pass defenses (including an interception), a forced fumble and two recovered fumbles -- one of which he returned for a touchdown -- over 17 games during the 2024 regular season. After being selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the NFL Draft, Wilson played in all 17 regular-season games for the team and was a key component of a three-player rotation at inside linebacker. He had two games with double-digit stops, and his biggest highlight may have been a fumble recovery for a touchdown in Week 13 against Cincinnati. Given his strong first campaign in the NFL, Wilson appears set to be key part of the Steelers' defense for at least the next few years.
Wilson recorded three tackles (one solo) and two fumble recoveries in Sunday's 44-38 win over the Bengals. Wilson didn't have the most productive day in terms of tackles, but he did finish off a pair of highlight plays for the Steelers' defense. He recovered a fumble in the second quarter after T.J. Watt's strip sack of Joe Burrow and then he returned a fumble for a 21-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter after Nick Herbig jarred it loose from Burrow. Wilson has now compiled 51 total tackles (29 solo), an interception, a pass defensed, two fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown over 12 games in 2024.
Wilson made 10 tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 37-15 win over the Jets. The rookie inside linebacker also played on more than 50 percent of the defensive snaps for the third time in four games. Wilson has recorded at least six tackles in each of the past four contests. He has 36 (22 solo) on the year.
Wilson (concussion) wasn't on the Steelers' injury report Wednesday ahead of Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Falcons, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. The 2024 third-round pick out of NC State underwent a concussion evaluation in mid-August, but it now appears he's passed protocol and returned to the field. With Wilson back at full health, he's expected to be one of the Steelers' top rotational inside linebackers during his rookie campaign.
Payton is undergoing a concussion evaluation during Pittsburgh's preseason contest against Buffalo on Saturday, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Wilson was injured during a Ray Davis rush up the middle early in the third quarter. Prior to his departure, the rookie third-round pick logged two assisted tackles. Wilson battled multiple injuries during his college career but was very productive when healthy. He figures to fill a rotational role at linebacker for Pittsburgh in 2024 while also contributing on special teams.