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Steelers Rookie Reportedly Disciplined After Sideline Outburst — What Really Happened?

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It was supposed to be just another August tune-up, but rookie linebacker Payton Wilson turned heads for the wrong reasons during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 31–25 preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, on Saturday August 9, 2025 in Jacksonville, FL. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Midway through the second quarter, cameras caught Wilson rising from the bench, gesturing excitedly toward the field, and shouting after a miscommunication in run defense. For a rookie, such a sideline outburst is unusual — especially amid the lower-pressure nature of the preseason.

A team source said Wilson was disciplined internally after the game, though no official details were released.

Former linebacker Payton Wilson inducted into NC State Ring of Honor | The  North State Journal

Head coach Mike Tomlin, without naming names, explained the incident: “We have a standard here — and everyone, no matter how long they’ve been in the league, has to meet that standard.”

For rookies like Wilson, off-field behavior is closely monitored, as it can affect first impressions with coaches and teammates.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, on Saturday August 9, 2025 in Jacksonville, FL. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

By the next day, the team had clarified that the moment was not a personal conflict or poor attitude. Instead, Wilson discussed running back adjustments with a position coach and another linebacker after missing a defensive assignment.

“They were talking about a defensive call—nothing more, nothing less,” a staffer confirmed.

Steelers LB Payton Wilson bulked up in preparation for Year 2 leap - Yahoo  Sports

Wilson has since practiced with the team as usual, continuing to get meaningful reps in the linebacker rotation. Coaches have hinted that his intensity could actually be a positive sign for his competitive spirit.

The question now for Steelers Nation: Will this explosiveness help Payton Wilson secure his roster spot on cut day?

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Bears defensive end Austin Booker could return in Week 6. The Chicago Bears could receive a significant boost to their pass rush when they take on the Washington Commanders for Monday Night Football in Week 6. The Bears are now eligible to designate second-year defensive end Austin Booker for return from the injured reserve list after he missed the first four games of the season. Booker had shone in the preseason and seemed the likely choice to serve as the Bears‘ top rotational pass rusher behind veterans Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo coming into the 2025 season, but he suffered a knee injury in August that forced the team to place him on the short-term injured reserve list after the 53-man roster cutdown. Promoted Content Brain Specialist: Honey, The Plaque Destroyer (Watch This)   Brain Journal Researcher: Honey Method, Alzheimer's Natural Predator (See How)   Brain Journal Dementia Has Been Linked To A Common Habit. Do You Do It?   Brain Defender Dementia & Memory Loss Have Been Linked To This Habit. You Do It?   Brain Journal While the Bears have not laid out an expected return timeline for Booker, they will have the option of designating him for return to practice in Week 6 if they feel he has made enough progress in his injury recovery. Once the Bears designate him for return, they will have 21 days to activate him to the roster or else must leave him on IR for the year. The Bears could provide clues to Booker’s status when they hold their first practice of the week on Wednesday and issue their first injury report for Sunday’s prime-time date with the Commanders. They would need to activate Booker by Saturday afternoon at the latest for him to have a chance of suiting up for them on Monday Night Football. The Bears (2-2) will take on the Commanders (3-2) at 8:15 p.m. ET next Monday.