Damien Wilson
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{For|the musician|Damian Wilson}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Damien Wilson
| image = Damien Wilson Jaguars 2021.png
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Wilson with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|5|28|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Gloster, Mississippi, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 245
| high_school = Amite County
(Liberty, Mississippi)
| college = Alcorn State (2011)
Jones County JC (2012)
Minnesota (2013–2014)
| draftyear = 2015
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 127
| pastteams =
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2023|2024}})*
| status =
| highlights =
- Super Bowl champion (LIV)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2014)
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 419
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 9.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 5
| statlabel4 = Pass deflections
| statvalue4 = 9
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 1
| pfr = WilsDa02
}}
Damien Wilson (born May 28, 1993) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football at Minnesota, and was selected by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Carolina Panthers.
Early life
Wilson attended Amite County High School in Liberty, Mississippi, where he was a teammate of Gabe Jackson. He accepted a scholarship from Alcorn State University, but transferred to Jones County Junior College after his freshman season.
College career
As a sophomore safety, Wilson was named the Region 23 Defensive MVP, after ranking fourth in the nation with 122 tackles (6 for loss), 2 sacks and 2 passes defensed. As a sophomore, he registered 119 tackles (10.5 for loss).{{Cite web |last=Archer |first=Todd |date=May 3, 2015 |title=Damien Wilson's path to Cowboys a long one |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4742155/damien-wilsons-path-to-cowboys-a-long-one |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} At the end of the year, he transferred to the University of Minnesota.{{Cite web |last=Fuller |first=Marcus R. |date=September 17, 2014 |title=Gophers football: LB Damien Wilson has NFL chops |url=http://www.twincities.com/gophers/ci_26555963/gophers-football-lb-damien-wilson-has-nfl-chops |access-date=May 2, 2015 |website=TwinCities.com |publisher=Pioneer Press}}
As a junior, he was converted to linebacker, finishing with 12 starts, 78 tackles (second on the team), one sack and 5.5 tackles-for-loss. In his last year he registered 12 starts, 119 tackles (led team), 4 sacks (tied for team lead), 10.5 tackles-for-loss (led the team), one interception, 3 passes defensed, one forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries.{{Cite web |last=Tomasson |first=Chris |date=February 21, 2015 |title=Linebacker Damien Wilson turns to Gophers teammates for NFL combine boost |url=http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_27573348/linebacker-damien-wilson-turns-gophers-teammates-nfl-combine |access-date=May 2, 2015 |website=TwinCities.com |publisher=Pioneer Press}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0
| weight = 245
| dash = 4.77
| ten split = 1.65
| twenty split = 2.76
| shuttle = 4.20
| cone drill = 7.21
| vertical = 37
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 11
| bench = 22
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 33+3/4
| hand span = 9+3/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=NFL Draft Profile: Damien Wilson |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/damien-wilson?id=2552686 |access-date=December 9, 2017 |website=NFLdraftscout.com}}
}}
=Dallas Cowboys (first stint)=
The Dallas Cowboys selected Wilson in the fourth round with the 127th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Archer |first=Todd |date=May 2, 2015 |title=Total breakdown: Cowboys draft LB Damien Wilson in the fourth round |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4742150/total-breakdown-cowboys-draft-lb-damien-wilson-in-the-fourth-round |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} He was the 13th linebacker selected in 2015.{{Cite web |title=2015 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/draft.htm |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} On May 28, 2015, the Cowboys signed Wilson to a four-year, $2.74 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $466,315.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Damien Wilson contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/damien-wilson-16853/ |access-date=December 9, 2017 |website=Spotrac.com}}
As Anthony Hitchens did before him, the coaches decided to make Wilson learn all three linebacker positions in training camp. On special teams he tied for the team lead in tackles (9) with Kyle Wilber and Jeff Heath. As a rookie he registered a total of 16 tackles. Against the New Orleans Saints, he saw extensive play and performed well replacing an injured Andrew Gachkar.{{Cite web |last=Archer |first=Todd |date=October 5, 2015 |title=Cowboys beaten more ways than one against Saints |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4745832/cowboys-beaten-more-ways-than-one-against-the-saints |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} He played the season mostly on special teams.
In 2016, he suffered a serious offseason injury on his right eye while playing paintball, missing the first two weeks of training camp after being placed on the non-football injury list.{{Cite web |last=Archer |first=Todd |date=August 17, 2016 |title=Damien Wilson feels 'blessed' he didn't lose right eye in paintball accident |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4752974/damien-wilson-feels-blessed-he-didnt-lose-right-eye-in-paintball-accident |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} In week 6 of the season, he passed Kyle Wilber on the depth chart and went on to start 5 games at strongside linebacker. He posted 35 tackles (4 for loss).{{Cite web |title=Wilson Showed Promise As Strong Side Linebacker |url=http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2017/03/08/star-evaluation-wilson-showed-promise-strong-side-linebacker |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604161455/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2017/03/08/star-evaluation-wilson-showed-promise-strong-side-linebacker |archive-date=June 4, 2017 |access-date=February 21, 2017}}
In 2017, he began the season as the backup at strongside linebacker, before passing Wilber on the depth chart in the seventh game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He tallied 39 tackles (eleventh on the team), five quarterback hurries, one sack and seven special teams tackles (sixth on the team).{{Cite web |title=Damien Wilson 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsDa02/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
=Kansas City Chiefs=
file:Damien Wilson.png in 2019]]
On March 14, 2019, Wilson signed a two-year, $5.75 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2019 |title=Chiefs Sign LB Damien Wilson |url=https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-sign-lb-damien-wilson |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=Chiefs.com}} He started all 16 games at middle linebacker, posting 81 tackles (3 for loss), 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He had 12 tackles against the Indianapolis Colts. He started all 3 playoff games while helping the Chiefs win their first Super Bowl in 50 years. The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–20 in Super Bowl LIV.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LIV – San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 2nd, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202002020kan.htm |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
In 2020, he started 13 games at middle linebacker, totaling 70 tackles (3 for loss), one forced fumble and 3 special teams tackles. He missed 3 games with a knee injury (the only games he has missed to injury in his career). He had 11 tackles (one for loss) against the Los Angeles Chargers. Contributing to the team making their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance (Super Bowl LV against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), where led the team with 10 tackles and also had one tackle for loss.
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
Wilson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on April 2, 2021.{{cite news |title=Jaguars Sign Linebacker Damien Wilson |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-sign-linebacker-damien-wilson |website=Jaguars.com |date=April 2, 2021 |access-date=April 2, 2021}} He had a career year, starting all 17 games at left inside linebacker, finishing second on the team with 104 tackles (5 for loss), 3 sacks, 5 passes defensed, one interception, one forced fumble and 2 special teams tackles. He had 7 tackles against the Houston Texans. He made 12 tackles against the Miami Dolphins. He had 10 tackles against the Tennessee Titans. He made 5 tackles one sack, one interception and one forced fumble in the season finale against the Indianapolis Colts. He was not re-signed after the season.
=Carolina Panthers=
On March 17, 2022, Wilson signed a two-year, $6.9 million contract with the Carolina Panthers.{{cite web|title=Panthers agree to terms with Damien Wilson|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-agree-to-terms-with-damien-wilson|author=Gantt, Darin|website=Panthers.com|date=March 17, 2022}} He played in 17 games with five starts at middle linebacker, recording 32 tackles (4 for loss), 2 sacks and 6 special teams tackles. He had 4 tackles and one sack in the season-opener against the Cleveland Browns. He made 9 tackles and one sack against the San Francisco 49ers.
In 2023, the team switched to a 3-4 defense and Wilson was not seen as a fit. On March 10, 2023, he was released by the Panthers.{{cite web|title=Panthers release linebacker Damien Wilson|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-release-linebacker-damien-wilson|author=Gantt, Darin|website=Panthers.com|date=March 10, 2023}}
= Dallas Cowboys (second stint) =
Wilson signed with the Cowboys' practice squad on January 3, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=2024-01-03 |title=Cowboys Signing LB Damien Wilson To Practice Squad |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/cowboys-signing-lb-damien-wilson-to-practice-squad/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}} He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Mike |date=January 15, 2024 |title=Cowboys Sign 8 New Contracts, Prepare for 14 Free Agents & 3 Superstar Deals |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-cowboys-sign-8-new-contracts-free-agents-superstar-deals-dak-prescott-micah-parsons-ceedee-lamb |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Sports Illustrated}}
Wilson was re-signed by the Cowboys on April 29, 2024.{{cite web|title=Damien Wilson re-signs with Cowboys for 2024|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/damien-wilson-re-signs-with-cowboys-for-2024|author=Walker, Patrik|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=April 29, 2024}} He was waived on August 26.{{cite web | title=Fehoko, Harvey among first wave of roster cuts | website=Dallas Cowboys | date=2024-08-26 | url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/fehoko-harvey-among-first-wave-of-roster-cuts | access-date=2025-03-15}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2015 | DAL
| 16 || 0 || 15 || 10 || 5 || 0.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | DAL
| 16 || 6 || 34 || 27 || 7 || 0.5 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 | DAL
| 16 || 9 || 35 || 21 || 14 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 | DAL
| 16 || 7 || 37 || 28 || 9 || 1.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | KAN
| 16 || 16 || 81 || 52 || 29 || 1.5 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | KAN
| 13 || 13 || 73 || 46 || 27 || 0.0 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | JAX
| 17 || 17 || 106 || 59 || 47 || 3.0 || 5 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | CAR
| 17 || 5 || 38 || 23 || 15 || 2.0 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| | 127 | 73 | 419 | 266 | 153 | 9.0 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
=Playoffs=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2016 | DAL
| 1 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 | DAL
| 2 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | KAN
| 3 || 3 || 19 || 13 || 6 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | KAN
| 3 || 3 || 14 || 9 || 5 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| | 9 | 6 | 36 | 23 | 13 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Personal life
On July 4, 2017, Wilson was arrested at Toyota Stadium on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon during an Independence Day celebration. He was then released on a $10,000 bond for each count.{{Cite web |last=Archer |first=Todd |date=July 5, 2017 |title=Cowboys LB charged with assault with weapon |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19841877/dallas-cowboys-lb-damien-wilson-charged-aggravated-assault-deadly-weapon |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
On April 19, 2022, Wilson was arrested in Frisco, Texas for allegedly threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend.{{cite web|title=Carolina Panthers linebacker Damien Wilson allegedly threatened to kill ex-girlfriend |url=https://nypost.com/2022/04/19/carolina-panthers-damien-wilson-allegedly-threatened-to-kill-ex-girlfriend/|author=Miller, Joshua|website=nypost.com|date=April 19, 2022}} He was released on a $5,000 bond.{{cite web|title=Carolina Panthers LB Damien Wilson out of jail on bond after allegedly assaulting ex-girlfriend in Texas|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33774182/carolina-panthers-lb-damien-wilson-jail-bond-allegedly-assaulting-ex-girlfriend-texas|author=Newton, David|website=ESPN.com|date=April 20, 2022}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/damien_wilson_839141.html Minnesota Gophers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518083435/http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/damien_wilson_839141.html |date=May 18, 2015 }}
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{Cowboys2015DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl LIV}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Damien}}
Category:Alcorn State Braves football players
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players
Category:Jones County Bobcats football players
Category:Kansas City Chiefs players
Category:Minnesota Golden Gophers football players