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Duke in the NFL: Shaun Wilson gets an extended role on ‘MNF’

By Kevin Connelly

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 30: Shaun Wilson #38 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rushes during a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Raymond James Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 30: Shaun Wilson #38 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rushes during a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Raymond James Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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It was Shaun Wilson’s first NFL primetime game and the former Duke Football running back was given some extra snaps.

Coming into this Monday Night Football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, we said that it could be a spot for the former Duke Blue Devil Shaun Wilson to break out.

While he didn’t break out, he certainly did receive some more playing time on one of the NFL’s biggest stages.

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In the first two weeks of the season, Wilson carried the ball once in each game but last night he did not receive any carries, rather he caught two passes from Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for a total of nine yards.

These were the first two receptions of Wilson’s career, but he was on the field more often as he frequently got snaps with the special teams unit in Pittsburgh’s 30-27 win over Tampa Bay.

Wilson returned five of Pittsburg’s kickoff for 68 yards, with his longest return being 17 yards.

With Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones being inactive once again last night, Wilson should continue to receive a steady, but limited workload out of the backfield and as a receiver with most of his opportunities coming on special teams at this point in the season.

If Tampa Bay struggles down the stretch of the season, it is very possible that Wilson will receive more work out of the backfield and in the passing game as the coaching staff will want to see what they have in the 22 year old running back out of Charlotte, North Carolina.

As the Buccaneers suffered their first defeat of the season last night to move them to 2-1 on the season, they will look to respond against the Chicago Bears and their very tough defense led by Khalil Mack next Sunday afternoon in Chicago.

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