About an hour ago
To say that Avery Williamson had a career game on Sunday may be overkill. But it may not be an exaggeration to say that his great effort came in the most important game of his seven-year career.
In his third game for the Pittsburgh Steelers – less than two months after being acquired from the New York Jets – Williamson had records in total tackles (14), solo tackles (nine) and defeat tackles (two), plus a dismissal during the 28-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts
“It felt like every big hit in the hole,” said Eric Ebron, “looked like it was Avery.”
Williamson had eight of his overall tackles (five solo) during the second half, while the Steelers held the Colts to three points and overcame a deficit of 17 points. In 92 other career games, Williamson had never participated in more total tackles or loss tackles and only once had more solo tackles. He had more than one bag only twice.
The victory won AFC North for the Steelers and allowed Williamson to experience the joy of a title of any kind for the first time at the professional or university levels. The teams he had participated in were 34-69 during his career until the then 7-0 Steelers traded the draft choices for the then 0-7 Jets on November 2, bringing Williamson on board.
He was part of just two teams with winning records and was in just a postseason – like a wild card with the Tennessee Titans in 2017. So Sunday’s return had a special significance.
“It was very surreal, man,” said Williamson during a video conference with the media on Monday. “It was something I saw growing up and since I’m in the league, the teams win the division, caps and shirts, but something I had never tried before and it was definitely a surreal feeling. That fourth (final) descent when we finally left the field, I thought, ‘What !? We really won! ‘”
It is legitimate to question whether the Steelers could have done this without Williamson. He was acquired after Devin Bush’s knee injury at the end of the season, but told coach Mike Tomlin that he would not replace Bush as a starter and instead serve as a reserve for Vince Williams and Bush’s replacement, Robert Spillane. .
With internal linebackers falling like dominoes, Avery Williamson switched from part-time reserve to the most experienced Steelers holder in a matter of days.https: //t.co/eeWNaZDuhX
– Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) December 12, 2020
But then Spillane also suffered a knee injury and fell into reserve. Ulysees Gilbert went to the IR twice, and converted safety Marcus Allen also suffered an injury (stinger) that kept him out of the Colts game.
Finally, Williams contracted covid-19 and lost two games during his recovery.
That left Williamson as one of the linebacker’s internal leader in making matches against the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals earlier this month.
“I definitely didn’t expect this to happen,” said Williamson. “I’ve been a starter before, during my entire career, but it’s different when you’re on a new team and you can’t work with the guys for the camp and the OTAs.
“But I thought I handled it the best I could. And I feel like all the coaches have been helping me mentally for the past few weeks. “
During those last three games, when he played more than 85% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps, Williamson accumulated 32 tackles (22 solo) while also dealing with coverage responsibilities, as well as a dedicated role in special teams.
“You have to praise a veteran for coming and being a professional and being the veteran Mike T hoped to get,” said Ebron. “So I am proud of Avery and happy that he is with us.”
Chris Adamski is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review. You can contact Chris by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .
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Sports | Steelers / NFL