Tag: Roman Wilson

Steelers history suggests Roman Wilson is primed for a 2025 breakout

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a history of second-year receivers taking a big leap, and Roman Wilson could be the next breakout WR in 2025.

No one will argue with the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ ability to draft quality receivers outside of the first round of the NFL Draft—and that includes the evidence to the contrary with Roman Wilson’s disappearing act in 2024.

Arguably, much of the blame could be put on head coach Mike Tomlin for Wilson’s lack of success during his rookie season, but looking back at former Steelers receivers helps shed light on what’s in store for the young receiver.

Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Antonio Brown, and George Pickens all had breakout years with the Steelers during their second season as starters.

Even former Steelers receiver James Washington, who struggled to live up to his second-round draft selection back in 2018, had his best season in the NFL during his second year donning the Black and Gold.

This trend, where Steelers rookie receivers take time to acclimate to the speed of the NFL, has worked in the past, and fans should expect big things from Wilson as the team looks ahead to the 2025 offseason.

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Is Roman Wilson playing this week? Injury updates for the Steelers WR

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson continues to deal with a hamstring injury sustained in October. Here’s the latest update.

While Roman Wilson (hamstring) has been a full practice participant for the past two weeks, he remains on injured reserve. The rookie wide receiver was ruled out for the Pittsburgh Steelers wild-card showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.

Short of five snaps (no targets) versus the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6, Wilson has had a non-existent rookie season, no thanks to an ankle injury sustained during the first week of training camp.

In October, Tomlin said he’d moved on from Wilson, choosing to focus on players who were available.

Roman Wilson injury update

Wilson was placed on injured reserve in October, where he remains after expectations were that he’d be sidelined for four games. Four games would’ve made Wilson eligible to return in Week 13; however, he’s seemingly dropped off the radar until Pittsburgh designated him to return on Dec. 31.

Steelers wide receiver depth chart

The Steelers easily have the worst wide receiver corps in the NFL, as evidenced by the lack of production behind George Pickens. Rookies rarely see much action in year one, so it brings pause as to why Pittsburgh didn’t do more to acquire a veteran playmaker in the offseason after selecting Wilson at No. 84 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

Here’s a look at Pittsburgh’s depth chart.

Steelers wide receiver ruled out for playoffs matchup with Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson was ruled out for the NFL playoffs matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

While Roman Wilson (hamstring) has been a full practice participant for the past two weeks, he remains on injured reserve. The rookie wide receiver was ruled out for the Pittsburgh Steelers wild-card showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.

Short of five snaps (no targets) versus the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6, Wilson has had a non-existent rookie season, no thanks to an ankle injury sustained during the first week of training camp.

Wilson was placed on injured reserve in October, where he remains after expectations were that he’d be sidelined for four games. Four games would’ve made Wilson eligible to return in Week 13; however, he’s seemingly dropped off the radar until Pittsburgh designated him to return on Dec. 31.

In October, Tomlin said he’d moved on from Wilson, choosing to focus on players who were available.

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Fans urge Steelers to activate Roman Wilson from IR for Wild-Card game

Steelers fans call for drastic changes, hoping to see Roman Wilson debut in the Wild-Card matchup against the Ravens.

It appears Steelers fans, desperate for change, want Pittsburgh to take an even more drastic and bold step: finally give rookie Roman Wilson his big shot during the Steelers’ biggest game of 2024—the Wild-Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

While many may be quick to disparage the move, arguing that Wilson isn’t ready or that he may not fully grasp the playbook—neither did WR George Pickens during the game-changing interception in Week 17 against the Chiefs.

Everyone can agree that this Steelers offense has been truly awful over the past four weeks and is in obvious need of a spark. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith referenced “burning the boats” with QB Justin Fields’ potential usage in preparation for the Wild-Card matchup against the Ravens—why not take the same approach with Wilson?

As fans call for a glimpse of the Russell Wilson-to-Wilson connection making its debut against the Ravens, here are some of their best reactions on social media.

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Steelers injury update: WR gets in another full practice on Tuesday

Roman Wilson got in a full workout on Tuesday.

Another day and another full practice for rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson. The Pittsburgh Steelers are just days away from their playoff showdown against the Baltimore Ravens and on Tuesday, the rookie wide receiver got in another full workout as the team decides whether to place him on the 53-man roster or leave him inactive for the remainder of the season.

Pittsburgh drafted Wilson with their first of two third-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft. Wilson was supposed to be the player to come in and add some punch at slot receiver. Unfortunately, injuries have cost him his rookie season and squandered so much rookie potential.

But perhaps there is some hope that Wilson might be placed on the roster before the upcoming playoff showdown and we can get a look at where he is in terms of health and development. Despite not practicing with the team, Wilson should be familiar with the system and if he’s healthy and in good conditioning, should be able to give a woeful group of receivers a little boost.

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Steelers open 21-day window for injured WR

Could the Steelers actually get Roman Wilson back this season?

Not to get anyone’s hopes up, but Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson returned to practice on Tuesday. The Steelers opened up the 21-day window for Wilson to be placed on the 53-man roster or miss the remainder of the season.

The former Michigan star was the Steelers first of two third-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft. Wilson was supposed to come in and be the team’s No. 2 receiver working primarily out of the slot.

Unfortunately, Wilson’s rookie season has been a wash. After missing the first five games with an ankle injury he suffered during training camp, a hamstring injury sent him to IR on October 23.

Meanwhile, Calvin Austin III has taken over the role of slot receiver for the Steelers. However, Pittsburgh still hasn’t found a viable No. 2 receiver and the passing offense has suffered because of it.

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George Pickens’ injury proves Steelers made Roman Wilson-sized mistake

George Pickens’ absence in Week 16 argues that the Steelers must reconsider giving rookie Roman Wilson a chance in the WR room.

The worries of Steelers fans have been confirmed: George Pickens has been ruled OUT for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 16 AFC North showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.

However, his absence from last week’s and this week’s games provides ammunition to the season-long argument regarding the Steelers’ wide receiver room: HC Mike Tomlin and OC Arthur Smith need to give rookie WR Roman Wilson a chance.

It was recently argued by Steelers insider Gerry Dulac that Wilson’s inability to stay healthy during training camp and practices early on in 2024 forced the team to move on from his contributions this year. However, Pickens’ absence should force the team to reconsider.

In the past two games Pickens has missed, QB Russell Wilson struggled to find production out of his receivers and threw for a combined 286 yards in Weeks 14 and 15.

Regardless of Tomlin claiming to have “moved on,” or any insiders believing the rookie receiver will get his chance in 2025, one thing remains certain—the Wilson-to-Wilson connection could be the much-needed medicine for this dying Pittsburgh Steelers offense.

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Steelers insider believes WR Roman Wilson may be done for the season

Roman Wilson’s return to the field may not come this season, with Steelers insider Gerry Dulac predicting a 2025 debut.

Steelers fans hoping to see Roman Wilson make his long-awaited comeback in the final three regular season games or the 2024 season may need to wait a little longer. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac described the situation regarding Wilson’s return in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and he believes the receiver won’t return in any capacity this season.

When asked for his opinion on Wilson’s return, Dulac stated:

“He has missed all of training camp and nearly all of this season. He is not going to play because he is not ready. Next year.”

It is important to note that the Pittsburgh Steelers have not made an official decision regarding Wilson. However, judging by head coach Mike Tomlin’s previous comments about the rookie wide receiver, suggesting they had ‘moved on’ from his availability concerns, Dulac may be right on the money with his 2025 prediction for Wilson.

Fans of the Steelers may be disappointed that Wilson may not contribute in his rookie season. However, many receivers in Pittsburgh’s past, especially those drafted in the later rounds, have also struggled to make significant contributions in their first year.

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Steelers insider provides troublesome status update on rookie WR

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson has fallen off the radar since landing on injured reserve in October.

Roman Wilson, where art thou? The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a time of need with George Pickens likely sidelined for the foreseeable future. But given that he’s only played five snaps in one game before his second injury (hamstring) since he was drafted, it’s doubtful that Wilson would have any impact anyway.

Wilson was placed on injured reserve in October, where he remains after expectations were that he’d be sidelined for four games. Four games would’ve made Wilson eligible to return in Week 13; however, he’s seemingly dropped off the radar.

Joe Starkey of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offered this update in his most recent mailbag:

The last I spoke with Ray Fittipaldo, one of our Steelers writers, he told me he did not expect to see Wilson at all this season… When you draft a guy 84th overall, you expect to see him, especially in times of need. And with George Pickens facing an uncertain immediate future, this week would appear to be one of those times.

On the other hand, it doesn’t take much detective work to conclude that Wilson did not exactly make a huge positive impression on Tomlin. I’m not even sure Tomlin has left the light on for him.

It’s too early to dub Wilson the worst Steelers draft pick at the wide receiver position since taking Chase Claypool at No. 49 in 2020. But he’s certainly in Mike Tomlin’s dog house. The last words Tomlin uttered about Wilson was that he’d moved on after the rookie landed on injured reserve.

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Steelers fans call for answers regarding rookie Roman Wilson

Fans are left frustrated by the Steelers’ silence on rookie WR Roman Wilson’s health and his role amid roster changes.

Memo to HC Mike Tomlin: fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers need clear answers regarding rookie WR Roman Wilson.

Thanks to Tomlin’s coaching style, keeping his cards close to his vest, Wilson’s health—or lack thereof—has gone radio silent the past few weeks.

A little over a month ago, Pittsburgh Steelers WR coach Zach Azzanni seemingly referenced that Wilson was preparing for his stint on IR to be short, likely the NFL minimum of four missed games. However, Wilson never returned in Week 13, nor Week 14, and fans want to know why.

With Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens expected to be out for an unspecified amount of time with a grade 2 hamstring strain, Wilson could potentially bring some much-needed life and energy to a bare Steelers wide receiver room.

Understandably confused and upset, here are some of the best reactions to the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ lack of information regarding rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson and his potential health concerns.

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