Steelers Rookie Linebacker Cleared To Play

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker Payton Wilson has been a bright spot during training camp. The third-round pick out of NC State has played exceptionally well in the time he’s been on the field.

He recently stated that he has enjoyed his first professional training camp and preseason.

“I’ve really enjoyed the preseason because it’s slowing the game down a lot,” Wilson told Steelers media on Thursday. “It’s not like we’re just jumping right into week one, and then you have to adjust on the fly.”

He did give the Steelers and some fans cause for concern with an injury scare when he left last week’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Wilson declared, however, that he is “good to go.”

“I’m all good,” Wilson said. “I’m 100% ready to go, super excited for this weekend. I got banged up a little bit, got hit in the back of the head. The NFL is pretty strict about stuff like that. … I’m fine. I’ve been fine since everything came back, pretty much right after the game.”

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Of course, the NFL’s concussion protocols required limited participation and constant observation and testing before he could be cleared to play this week.

The Steelers travel to Detroit to take on the Lions in their final preseason game of the year before turning their sights to the regular season.

Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. ET.