Steelers’ Payton Wilson Details The Truth Behind Not Having An ACL: 'A Lot Of It Is Just Hearsay'

The Pittsburgh Steelers made an electrifying move by using their 98th overall pick to select former North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson. This choice ignited excitement within the Steelers organization, as Wilson had been widely recognized as a top prospect, but lingering concerns about his significant injury history saw him fall in the draft. Despite these concerns, the Steelers displayed confidence in Wilson's health by taking the calculated risk of drafting him towards the end of the third round.

Numerous pundits have lauded the Steelers' decision, including former star linebacker Luke Kuechly, asserting that Wilson was arguably the most talented linebacker in the draft class. Were it not for his extensive injury concerns, he likely would have been selected much earlier in the draft.

As rookie minicamp commenced, Wilson took the opportunity to address the media. Among the topics discussed, he fielded questions regarding the reports that had surfaced indicating that he was missing an ACL.

“I really don’t have a clue. When I went to the [NFL] Combine, that was the first time that I’d heard of it. I haven’t had 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.”

In the lead-up to the draft, numerous teams engaged Wilson in discussions regarding his injury history. Initial reports from Ian Rapoport indicated that Wilson had undergone a problematic shoulder surgery. 

However, further investigation by Rapoport revealed that Wilson is actually missing an ACL in one of his knees. Wilson himself downplayed the significance of this, suggesting that despite the absence of an ACL, there is something in its place that has not affected his performance on the field.

“They say because I’ve had a revision on my ACL that the graph, it just looks a little different. I definitely have a something in there. I wouldn’t be able to run and cut the way that I do or move the way that I do, so a lot of it is just hearsay. But at the end of the day, I’ve been playing for five or six years just perfectly fine.”

Wilson harnesses his injuries as motivation, drawing strength from adversity to propel him forward. Unfazed by past setbacks, he exudes confidence in his off-field regimen, trusting in his proactive approach to maintain his health and well-being.

“I’ve definitely had some injuries, but I just come back stronger and better and faster every time. My love for the game has grown so much because it’s been taken away from me. I’ll literally do anything in the world to be on that field, whether that’s maintenance, whether that’s fight through stuff. I love this game so much. I want to honor Jesus Christ by being the best person that I can possibly be and take these talents as far as I can.”

Wilson's talent sets him apart as a truly exceptional player. His standout performance during the 2023 season earned him the prestigious ACC Defensive Player of the Year award. Wilson's impressive statistics speak for themselves: averaging 11.5 tackles per game, he recorded 17.5 tackles for loss, ranking him 10th in Wolfpack history for a single season. 

With a total of 138 tackles, he outpaced the rest of his team by almost double. As a versatile and speedy linebacker, Wilson possesses the ability to seamlessly transition into coverage, where he effectively disrupts passes—an invaluable asset to any defense.

Steelers’ Payton Wilson Is Going To Be Very Good, But His Timeline May Be Short

Some analysts have praised Wilson's potential, acknowledging his talent but expressing concern about his durability in the grueling NFL. Despite this, many believe that even three years of Wilson's performance would outweigh the impact of eight years from another linebacker. Such is the high regard in which Wilson is held.

Joining a formidable group of linebackers in Pittsburgh, Wilson has generated considerable excitement among fans as he embarks on his journey with the team. If he can maintain his physical health, Wilson has the potential to become a dominant force in the Steelers' defense for years to come. 

Steeler Nation will closely monitor his progress and hope for his continued well-being. Additionally, it's worth noting that Wilson is not the first Steelers player to lack an ACL; Hines Ward faced a similar situation and enjoyed a successful career, reassuring fans about Wilson's prospects.