Injuries at ILB will put newcomer Avery Williamson in spotlight when Steelers face Bills

With inside linebackers falling like dominoes, Avery Williamson has gone from part-time backup to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ most experienced starter at his position in a matter of days.

“It’s crazy how the last week has spiraled,” Williamson said Friday.

A knee injury to Robert Spillane in the third quarter Monday against Washington elevated Williamson to a starting role. A trip to the reserve/covid-19 list Thursday for Vince Williams left Williamson as one of the few healthy bodies at inside linebacker.

When the Steelers (11-1) play the Buffalo Bills (9-3) on Sunday night in a pivotal AFC matchup, Williamson will join safety-turned-subpackage inside linebacker Marcus Allen as the only available players at the position. They could be joined by second-year linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III, provided he is activated from injured reserve.

“It definitely can be tough,” Williamson said. “I was splitting time with Spillane and Vince, and I was building chemistry with them. Then, Rob went down and then we got the news yesterday, and I’m like, ‘Shoot.’ But, all right, it’s next man up. It’s definitely hard to get that chemistry, but the biggest thing is making sure the communication goes well and whoever is out there, we’re talking.”

The inexperience in the Steelers defensive system will be on display against the Bills. Although Williamson is in his sixth NFL season, the game will be just his fifth with the Steelers, and the game against Washington was the only one in which he played more than 50% of the defensive snaps.

“He’s been great so far. He’s fit in right with us,” said rookie outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, who will be making his second NFL start Sunday in place of injured Bud Dupree. “He’s played great since he’s been in, and I’m excited to see him grow in our defense. With him being a veteran coming in, he has been awesome. He’s not only been a great player on the field, he’s a great teammate as well, a guy I can always talk to. It’s been great to have him, great to add him to our team.”

Allen has never played in the base defense. Gilbert, before his injury, was used primarily on special teams.

Williamson was acquired to provide depth at the position after Devin Bush was lost for the season to an ACL tear. He spent his first few games mostly watching while Spillane took the bulk of the snaps in the base defense.

“I feel so much better with where I’m at,” Williamson said. “I definitely thought I was ready the first week I got here, but I was nowhere near ready. It took a little time. I’d never been in a situation where I had been traded and had to learn a playbook in the middle of the season.”

When Spillane exited in the third quarter Monday, Williamson assumed the responsibility of wearing the green dot in his helmet and making the defensive play calls. He is the obvious candidate to wear it against Buffalo.

“I’ve worn the green dot pretty much my whole career,” Williamson said. “I didn’t wear it the past year with the Jets, but I’m familiar with it. If they want me to be the green dot, I’ll easily jump in.”