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LB Logan Wilson leads defense

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson has been given the keys to the defense in only his second season.

With Josh Bynes no longer on the team, Wilson, a former University of Wyoming standout who the Bengals drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, stepped into the starting middle linebacker spot.

"Being able to learn under Bynes last year allowed me to kind of pick his brain and be able to develop," Wilson said.

As the starting middle linebacker in defensive coordinator Lue Anarumo's defense, Wilson will strap on the helmet with the green dot.

"You are wearing the green dot so you've got to step up and be the man," fellow Cincinnati linebacker Germaine Pratt said of Wilson on Tuesday, the Bengals' first day of training camp in full pads.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) takes the the ball away on a pass intended for wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) during training camp practice at the Paul Brown Stadium practice field in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021.

The green dot is a sticker on the back of Wilson's helmet. That sticker means WIlson is the quarterback of the defense – his helmet has radio communication with the Bengals' defensive coaches, including Anarumo.

Anarumo called WIlson early in the offseason, before the team began OTAs (organized team activities) in May, and told Wilson he wanted him to be the guy.

"Well, you prefer it to be a guy at the second level of the defense because he's tied into the front a little bit more than the safeties are and the corners, some other people do that," Anarumo siad. "So you start with that. He's used to working with those guys and used to talking to those guys. And then you want a guy that's going to be on the field all the time as well. And, you know, we feel like he can do some of those things for us. And we'll have certain packages where he's not, but we can do different things to get the defense in there, but he's shown great athleticism, great playmaking ability, and we're hoping it steps up this year."

Wilson is ready for the challenge. The 6-foot-2, 241-pound Casper, Wyoming, native had 33 tackles (23 solo), two interceptions and a sack in 12 games last season. Wilson managed two starts as he found his way around the NFL stage.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) tackles New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) in the fourth quarter during an NFL Week 12 football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The New York Giants won 19-17.

"Last year, it was just trying to find my footing, trying to understand certain schemes," he said. "This year, I have a better foundation of all that stuff so it's definitely helping me translate to playing a little faster."

Wilson's teammates have noticed the change.

"Really, how Logan is going about things right now, he's really taking it upon himself to play a big role in that Mike (middle linebacker) position," safety Vonn Bell said Tuesday. "How poised he is right now, and he's going to keep on growing to the game and to himself, so I'm very happy about how his progression is going. I want him to keep on going."


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