Pittsburgh Steelers third-round wide receiver Roman Wilson was finally healthy enough to suit up in Week 3, but in classic Mike Tomlin fashion, the key rookie was inactive when the Steelers took the field to face off against the Los Angeles Chargers. A healthy scratch.
On September 24, Tomlin explained what Wilson must do to prove he’s ready to make his NFL debut in Week 4, or sometime after if the youngster is inactive once again in Indianapolis. And the Steelers head coach did so in the form of a message.
“He’s just gotta keep working,” Tomlin told reporters, regarding Wilson.
#Steelers HC Mike Tomlin on what Roman Wilson has to do to see playing time:
“He’s just got to keep working. It is very difficult to get on a moving train.”
“It is very difficult to get on a moving train,” the old school HC elaborated. “Just look at [defensive lineman] Dean Lowry for example. There’s a veteran guy that missed a substantial amount of training camp, and it was the third game before he got an [appearance]. Although he’s been healthy for three weeks. And so, that gets multiplied when you’re talking about a guy that has no NFL experience like Roman.”
Finally, Tomlin concluded by stating that his “advice to Roman is to keep working.”
“Take that opportunity when that door is left ajar,” he added, “and be ready when it is.”
Roman Wilson Will Have to Earn Snaps With Steelers
Many assumed that Wilson would just step onto the scene — fresh off a National Championship run with Michigan — and take over as the No. 2 receiving option in an offense that is notably shallow at the position.
When all is said and done, that could still occur. But there are no scholarships inside a Tomlin-run organization.
Wilson was beginning to show he belonged just before his injury this summer, impressing during the padless portion of training camp. And then the ankle issue stalled his progress.
Now, without a full preseason to earn his stripes, so to speak, it appears Tomlin is taking things slow with Wilson. The question is — how much of a ramp-up period will the rookie need before he rejoins the offense? One more week of practices? Two? More?
When it comes to a buttoned-up franchise like the Steelers, sometimes all there is to do is wait and find out.
Steelers WR Scotty Miller Given Significant Snap Count in Week 3
In terms of their role inside of Arthur Smith’s offense, 2022 fourth rounder Calvin Austin III and veteran Scotty Miller are the two players that appear to be ahead of Wilson on the depth chart as of September 24.
Miller only made his Steelers debut in Week 3, but he played a significant number of snaps with Pittsburgh shorthanded at the position.
Only four wide receivers suited up for the Steelers against the Chargers. Per Pro Football Focus, George Pickens led the way with 50 snaps (out of a potential 68), while Miller was on the field for 38 and Austin was out there for 37.
Van Jefferson only played 11 snaps in Week 3 after starting the game alongside Pickens, but he missed a large portion of the outing due to an eye injury.
After the game, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo relayed that Jefferson told him that he “couldn’t see until the fourth quarter.” Adding that the wideout thought his “cornea may have been scratched” after being poked in the eye.
With newcomer Ben Skowronek now on the injured reserve, Wilson is the only other wide receiver on the 53-man roster at this time.
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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Offers Blunt ‘Advice’ to Rookie WR Roman Wilson