Green Bay Packers linebacker Eric Wilson has been in the NFL for eight seasons. He's absolutely a veteran, but he's in no way been a big-name veteran.
The linebacker out of Cincinnati has undoubtedly been a solid role player throughout his career, though, and there's no shame in that. Against the Houston Texans on Sunday, though, Wilson flashed more than just role-player skill.
He was all over the field in Green Bay's 24-22 win over the Texans, ironically one of his former teams. Even more impressive than his play, though, was the fact that Wilson was tasked with relaying the defense's play calls when starter Quay Walker was knocked out of the game after a concussion.
Wilson executed the role wearing communications helmet flawlessly. In fact, Green Bay's defense arguably got better with him at the helm. After the game, he credited his experience in the league as the reason he was able to step up for Green Bay.
"My entire career I've played just about every position at linebacker," Wilson said via the team website. "I think it comes with the reps and the experience, honestly. Being able to play any linebacker position that we need and fill in where's necessary."
He was second on the team in tackles with six, and he also sacked quarterback C.J. Stroud twice.
Though he had a tremendous individual performance, it came in the midst of yet another solid effort from Green Bay's defense. The Packers made it tough on Stroud, a young quarterback, all day long. He was sacked four times and hit seven times by the pass rush.
Though the Texans' offense was able to get going with the run, Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley's defense got after it on Sunday afternoon. Stroud completed just 10-of-21 passes for 86 yards with no touchdowns.
"Haf [Hafley] does a hell of a job calling a game, and we work all week just playing together whatever the call is," Wilson explained. "I think it was a hell of an effort up front putting pressure on him, and then in the back covering their guys, which they've got some good receivers too, so our DBs did a hell of a job."
