When the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Buffalo Bills tonight, they’ll have some intel in their back pocket, and its name is Avery Williamson.
Initially, the Steelers signed the 7th-year linebacker in November to solidify depth when Devin Bush went down. Fast forward 38 days, and Williamson is being thrust into his first start in the Black and Gold after Vince Williams was placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list and Robert Spillane went to injured reserve on Saturday.
With Williamson comes familiarity with Buffalo, as the Jets played the Bills twice in seven weeks this season. Williamson did not play in the first Bills matchup — he was being eased into action after an ACL tear stripped him of the entire 2019 season. But he was active for Week 7 and made it a good one, racking up a team-leading 13 tackles. It was only one game; still, Williamson feels he can use that to his advantage.
“I know that they definitely got some tendencies,” said Williamson in a press conference last week. “We game-planned for them pretty well that second game with the Jets. It was a close game. I’m definitely going to use what I learned that week and transfer some of it over to now.”
Though Williamson was itching to play from the moment he set foot in Pittsburgh, he admits the acclimation period was helpful.
“I feel a whole lot better with where I’m at,” Williamson said. “I definitely thought I was ready the first week I got here, but I wasn’t nowhere near ready. It took a little time. I’ve never been in a situation where I been traded and had to learn a whole new playbook in the middle of the season. … I feel a whole lot more comfortable.”
Pittsburgh had the luxury of easing Williamson into the defense, as it wasn’t urgent he take on a big role immediately. His 38 snaps last week were the most he’s had since signing with Pittsburgh.
Williamson took over calling plays for Spillane after his exit last week, which instilled confidence enough for Pittsburgh to tab him as play-caller versus Buffalo. It won’t be his first rodeo, though; Williamson called defensive plays with the Jets.
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