Steelers Rookie LB Payton Wilson Opens Up about Injury History

Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Payton Wilson, the team’s third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, slid down draft boards to the Steelers at No. 98 overall, thanks to his extensive injury history.

Wilson finished his amateur career with eight reported surgeries and seven season-ending injuries, including major issues with his shoulder and knees.

It was even reported that Wilson no longer has an ACL in one of his knees. Wilson said that’s not totally correct, and that his surgically repaired knee has been doing just fine, keeping him on the field for 23 games over his final two seasons at NC State.

“When I went to the combine, that was the first time that I’d heard of [not having an ACL],” Wilson said at rookie camp last week. “I haven’t have problems with my knee since 2018. So, I mean, I’ve been blowing and going for a long time now with what they call a bum knee. In my head, I’ve been playing like this for so long, it doesn’t bother me. My knees don’t bother me. I’m not gonna have a problem with it.”