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Pack Pros: LB Payton Wilson posts yet another standout performance with Pittsburgh Steelers

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman14 hours agofleischman_noah
Payton Wilson
Nov 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) celebrates an interception during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

It’s becoming a weekly occurrence. Pack Pro linebacker Payton Wilson, who turned heads throughout most of his collegiate career, has been just as effective as a key defender for the Pittsburgh Steelers in his second NFL season. 

And he posted yet another standout effort with a career-best 14 total tackles, including 10 solos, in the Steelers’ 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium.

Wilson flew all over the field as he earned his first interception of the year, which set up the Steelers’ first touchdown of the game, while he tipped another pass in the backfield that led to another Pittsburgh interception. The linebacker added another pass defended to post a career-most two in the game. 

The former All-ACC standout has led the Steelers in tackles in each of the past two games en route to 71 total tackles through the first eight contests this fall. Wilson has nearly surpassed his rookie total of 78 from last season as he continues to get better and better each week with Pittsburgh. 

While Wilson was impressive yet again, he wasn’t the only Pack Pro in action this weekend. Here’s a look at how the rest of NC State’s NFL players fared.

Pack Pros: NFL Week 9

OT Anthony Belton (played at NC State from 2021-2024), #71 Green Bay Packers: Belton played four snaps on the Packers’ field goal kick unit in the team’s 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

C Garrett Bradbury (2014-18), #65 New England Patriots: Bradbury logged 40 total snaps at center in the Patriots’ 24-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He allowed two quarterback pressures, both of which led to hurries in the victory.

QB Jacoby Brissett (2014-15), #7 Arizona Cardinals: Brissett threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-31 passing in the Cardinals’ 27-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The signal-caller was sacked five times, but managed to guide Arizona to its third win of the campaign. Brissett, who is playing in place of Kyler Murray, also logged a rushing touchdown.

OLB Bradley Chubb (2014-17), #2 Miami Dolphins: Chubb recorded three total tackles, including one solo stop, in the Dolphins’ 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football.

P A.J. Cole III (2015-18), #6 Las Vegas Raiders: Cole posted just one punt for 56 yards, which landed inside the 20-yard line, in the Raiders’ 30-29 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

DL Cory Durden (2021-22), #94 New England Patriots: Durden played 21 total snaps – 12 defense and nine on special teams — in the Patriots’ 24-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He did not record a tackle in the victory.

OT Ikem Ekwonu (2019-21), #79 Carolina Panthers: Ekwonu played 58 offensive snaps in the Panthers’ 16-13 win over the Green Bay Packers. He allowed two quarterback pressures, both resulting in hurries, in the victory.

DL B.J. Hill Jr. (2014-17), #92 Cincinnati Bengals: Hill posted four total tackles, including three solos, in the Bengals’ 47-42 loss to the Chicago Bears. He logged one sack with a quarterback hit in pass rush.

RB Nyheim Hines (2015-17), #31 Los Angeles Chargers: Hines was released by the Chargers earlier in the week.

S Tanner Ingle (2018-22), #34 Los Angeles Rams: Ingle is on the Rams’ practice squad. He did not play in the Rams’ 34-10 win over the New Orleans Saints.

DT Justin Jones (2014-17), #93 Arizona Cardinals: Jones was placed on the Cardinals’ injured reserve with a knee injury in August. 

RB Zonovan Knight (2019-21), #35 Arizona Cardinals: Knight rushed for 27 yards on nine carries in the Cardinals’ 27-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He also caught two passes for 20 yards.

OL Tim McKay (2019-2024), #68 Washington Commanders: McKay didn’t play in the Commanders’ 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He’s on the team’s practice squad.

OL Dylan McMahon (2019-23), #63 Los Angeles Rams: McMahon is a practice squad player for the Rams. He did not play in the Rams’ 34-10 win over the New Orleans Saints.

.DT Alim McNeill (2018-20), #54 Detroit Lions: McNeill recorded two total tackles in the Lions’ 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

WR Jakobi Meyers (2016-18), #16 Las Vegas Raiders: Meyers caught four passes for 23 yards in the Raiders’ 30-29 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

DT Larrell Murchison (2018-19), #52 Los Angeles Rams: Murchison played one snap in the Rams’ 34-10 win over the New Orleans Saints. He did not post a tackle. 

LB Germaine Pratt (2014-18), #53 Indianapolis Colts: Pratt logged a team-best eight total tackles in the Colts’ 27-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and fellow Pack Pro linebacker Payton Wilson. He recorded a tackle for loss with a pass defended in the defeat.

DL Kentavius Street (2014-17), #93 Atlanta Falcons: Street did not play in the Falcons’ 24-23 loss to the New England Patriots. 

LB Drake Thomas (2019-22), #42 Seattle Seahawks: Thomas posted eight total tackles, including three solos, in the Seahawks’ 38-14 win over the Washington Commanders. He posted a sack with a pass defended and a quarterback hit in the victory.

OL Joe Thuney (2011-15), #62 Chicago Bears: Thuney played 80 snaps in the Bears’ 47-42 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He did not allow a single quarterback pressure in 47 passing opportunities, earning a near-elite 89.6 grade from Pro Football Focus.

LB Payton Wilson (2018-23), #41 Pittsburgh Steelers: Wilson paced the Steelers with a career-most 14 total tackles in the team’s 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He logged a career-high 10 solo stops with two passes defended and an interception in his all-around performance.

QB Russell Wilson (2007-10, finished at Wisconsin), #3 New York Giants: Wilson, the Giants’ backup quarterback, did not play in the team’s 34-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

OL Chandler Zavala (2021-22), #62 Carolina Panthers: Zavala was placed on the Panthers’ injured reserve with a knee injury.