Payton Wilson leads Steelers in tackles in debut
by Bo Marchionte
Published August 9, 2024, 10:54 PM
Pittsburgh, PA – In tonight’s preseason game between the Steelers and the Texans, Houston prevailed 20-12 to drop Pittsburgh to 0-1 in the preseason. Unless you route for the Ravens no one else cares much about preseason outcomes. Cutting thought mondain, let’s jump immediately to what was important tonight as the Steelers embark into a season with plenty of topics to monitor, especially in the preseason.
How did Justin Fields perform for the Steelers?
Playing in three series, Fields went 5-of-6 passing for 67 yards with zero turnovers. He connected with George Pickens twice and one of the throws was a side armed flick of the wrist that impressed me the most.
It was simple, well simple if you’re gifted like Fields. At that moment I felt Kenny Pickett wouldn’t have been able to make the throw, but Fields slightly contorted his body to avoid the defenders’ body and zipped it to Pickens for a gain of 10 yards.
This wasn’t an Oppenheimer moment for Fields, but it was significant in my opinion. The glimpse of how he can make the somewhat difficult look routine. Fields took on two sacks, but it appeared that rookie Troy Fautanu was the culprit more so than Fields on miscues.
Did Troy Fautanu live up to his first-round billing?
Rookie Left Tackle Troy Fautanu: Fautanu whiffed early in the game at right tackle as Texans newly acquired four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter made chopped liver of the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
A crowded pocket collapsing on Fields, Fautanu once again couldn’t keep Fields clean leading to another sack. It wasn’t an ideal showing from Fautanu and more will be expected from the talented tackle out of Washington.
Usually, Fautanu is more than generous with his time with the media. After his first preseason game, he politely declined the opportunity to share how his first night unfolded. Afterwards, Coach Mike Tomlin told the media that Fautanu is also dealing with a knee injury which was evident with the boot he had on as he exited the locker room.
Was rookie linebacker Payton Wilson the guy we saw in college?
The third-round pick did not disappoint. The Texans second series, Wilson tackles Dameon Pierce for a two-yard loss with the help of teammate Nick Herbig sealing the edge and forcing the Houston tailback back inside.
“Nick (Herbig) did an amazing job of letting me shoot the gap and make the tackle,” Wilson said. So, credit to him and the other guys that are on the field.”
Wilson flashed the sideline-to-sideline speed that was so noticeable during his collegiate days at N.C. State. In coverage, Wilson showed the speed to stay with John Metchie III which resulted in an incomplete pass.
Surely every play can’t be monitored, and Wilson might have over pursued on occasion but the initial diagnosis in real time and from the notes I gathered from eyeing it up from the press box was Wilson has a very positive debut for Pittsburgh.
Wilson finished the game leading the team in tackles with six (4 solo 2 assist) and one tackle for loss. His presence was felt on special teams as well where No. 41 was making plays.
“I’m more worried about the plays that I’ve missed, rather than the ones that I made,” Wilson said after his first NFL action against an opponent. “There’s always room to improve. You, my goal is to be the best in the world and there’s definitely a lot to room to get to that.”
The health of Wilson coming out of college was the biggest knock and most think that is why this ultra-productive linebacker slipped to the third round of the NFL Draft and 98th overall.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com
