Payton Wilson Injury News & Updates

Wilson recorded seven tackles (four solo) during the Steelers' 25-10 loss to the Chargers on Sunday.

Wilson didn't start in Week 10 despite the absence of Cole Holcomb (illness), but the former ended up playing 41 snaps on defense, more than named starter Malik Harrison (33). Wilson also played 26 snaps on special teams, and he finished Sunday's game tied for third most tackles on the Steelers behind Patrick Queen (12) and Jalen Ramsey (eight). Wilson is up to 78 combined tackles through nine regular-season games, which matches his total from the 2024 campaign (across 17 regular-season contests).

Wilson logged 14 tackles (10 solo) and two pass defenses (including one interception) during the Steelers' 27-20 win over the Colts on Sunday.

Wilson moved into a starting role Week 9 due to the absence of Cole Holcomb (illness). Wilson took advantage of the opportunity, playing 66 snaps on defense and 17 on special teams while leading both teams with a career-high 14 stops. He also registered his first interception of the season in the second quarter, when he jumped in front of a Daniel Jones pass intended for Josh Downs, which led to a 12-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Pat Freiermuth two plays later. Wilson and Holcomb have worked in rotation at inside linebacker for much of the season, though the former's performance during Sunday's win could earn him a larger share of defensive snaps moving forward.

Wilson tallied nine tackles (five solo) during the Steelers' 35-25 loss to the Packers on Sunday.

It was a busy night for Wilson, who played 43 snaps on defense and 28 on special teams while recording a game-high nine tackles. He was credited for his fourth start of the season, though he appears to be in a timeshare with Cole Holcomb at inside linebacker while Patrick Queen plays an every-down role. Regardless of whether he's named the starter, Wilson has been productive when he's on the field and has logged at least five tackles in each of the first seven games of the regular season. The 2024 third-rounder is up to 57 total tackles on the year, and he is well on pace to surpass his total from his rookie season (78 tackles across 17 regular-season games).

Wilson recorded six tackles (three solo) in Thursday's 33-31 loss to the Bengals.

Wilson had a relatively productive game, but that covered up concerning deployment. He played only 33 of 76 defensive snaps (43.4 percent), his lowest rate of the season, with Cole Holcomb seeing 42 snaps. Wilson has had an inconsistent sophomore campaign, and that looks likely to continue.

Wilson registered seven tackles (four solo) in a 23-9 win over Cleveland on Sunday.

Of Wilson's seven stops, five came on defensive plays and two came on special teams. The second year-linebacker has posted at least five tackles in all five of his games so far this season. He's up to 42 tackles (including 1.0 sacks) on the campaign.

Wilson finished Sunday's 24-21 victory versus the Vikings with 13 tackles (eight solo).

Wilson paced Pittsburgh with his 13 stops, which represented a career high. It was the second time in three weeks that he's hit the double-digit tackle mark after doing so twice during the regular season as a rookie last year. Wilson has seen his role grow in 2025, as he's logged over 85 percent of the Steelers' defensive snaps three times through four weeks.

Wilson recorded seven tackles (five solo) and a fumble recovery during Sunday's 21-14 win at New England.

Wilson recovered a critical fumble near the goal line early in the third quarter to help preserve what was a 14-7 lead. He also logged seven-plus tackles for the second consecutive game in Week 3. He's played his way into IDP consideration heading into a Week 4 tilt versus the Vikings.

Wilson recorded 10 tackles (eight solo), including 1.0 sacks, in the Steelers' loss to the Seahawks on Sunday.

Wilson played 86 percent of the defensive snaps versus Seattle, and his 10 tackles paced the Steelers in the defeat. Wilson's sack of Sam Darnold came in the second quarter and helped lead to a punt three plays later. Wilson is up to 15 tackles (11 solo), including the one sack, and a pair of QB hits on 87 percent of the defensive snaps across two games.

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.