Newest veteran Steeler Avery Williamson happy to finally be part of division winner

To say that Avery Williamson had a career game Sunday might be a stretch. But it might not be an exaggeration to say his big effort came in the most consequential game of his seven-year career.

In his third start for the Pittsburgh Steelers — less than two months after being acquired from the New York Jets — Williamson had game-highs in total tackles (14), solo tackles (nine) and tackles for loss (two) in addition to a sack during the come-from-behind 28-24 win against the Indianapolis Colts

“It seemed like every big hit in the hole,” tight end Eric Ebron said, “it seemed to be 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 17-point deficit. In 92 other career games, Williamson never had been part of more total tackles or tackles for loss and only once had more solo tackles. He had more than one sack just twice.

The win clinched the AFC North for the Steelers and allowed Williamson to experience the joy of a title of any type for the first time at the pro or college levels. Teams he had been on had were 34-69 during his career until the then 7-0 Steelers swapped draft picks with the then 0-7 Jets on Nov. 2, bringing Williamson aboard.

He had been part of only two teams with winning records and been to only one postseason — as a wild card with the Tennessee Titans in 2017. So Sunday’s comeback carried special meaning.

“It was very surreal, man,” Williamson said during a video conference call with media Monday. “It was something that I’d seen growing up and since I have been in the league, teams win the division, hats and T-shirts, but something that I never experienced before and it was definitely surreal feeling. That (final) fourth down when we finally got off the field, I was like, ‘What!? We actually won it!’ ”

It is legitimate to wonder if the Steelers could have done it without Williamson. He was acquired in the wake of the season-ending knee injury to Devin Bush but told by coach Mike Tomlin he wasn’t going to replace Bush in the starting lineup and instead would serve as a backup to Vince Williams and Bush’s replacement, Robert Spillane.

With inside linebackers falling like dominoes, Avery Williamson has gone from part-time backup to the Steelers most experienced starter at his position in a matter of days.https://t.co/eeWNaZDuhX

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) December 12, 2020

But then Spillane also suffered a knee injury and landed on injured reserve. Ulysees Gilbert has gone on IR twice, and converted safety Marcus Allen also suffered an injury (stinger) that kept him out of the Colts game.

To top it off, Williams contracted covid-19 and missed two games while recovering.

That left Williamson as something of the inside linebacker unit leader in making starts against the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals earlier this month.

“Definitely didn’t expect that to happen like that,” Williamson said. “I’ve been a starter before, my whole career, but it’s different when you’re on a new team and you haven’t been able to work with guys for camp and OTAs.

“But I thought I handled it as well as I could. And I feel like the coaches they all have been helping me mentally the past few weeks.”

During these past three games when he has played more than 85% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps, Williamson has accumulated 32 tackles (22 solo) while also handling coverage responsibilities in addition to a dedicated role on special teams.

“You’ve got to commend a veteran for coming in and being a professional and being the veteran that Mike T was hoping to get,” Ebron said. “So I am proud of Avery and happy he’s with us.”

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