Denver linebacker Al Wilson returns to his home state for Christmas.

Unlike his teammates, Wilson will spend Christmas at home.

Wilson is a native of Jackson. He spent his college career at the University of Tennessee.

Wilson hopes to spend some time with family this holiday. He expects close to 100 family and friends in the stands for the Christmas night game.

''I'm looking forward to it, I really am,'' Wilson told The Rocky Mountain News. ''You start thinking about how long it's been. People are always asking me, 'When are you guys going to play here?' and all that. Maybe I'll even get to celebrate Christmas a little bit after the game or something.''

Wilson was the Broncos first-round draft pick in 1999. His last game in his home state came in 1998, the year that the Vols won the national championship.

This will be the Broncos first trip to Tennessee since a preseason game in 1998. The two teams haven't met in a regular season game since the 1995 season.