After a rookie season full of injuries and setbacks, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson is entering Year 2 with urgency and a fresh mindset. Now fully healthy and back on the field for OTAs, Wilson is determined to deliver on the promise that made him a third-round pick out of Michigan in 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Roman Wilson Determined to Rewrite NFL Journey After Injury-Plagued Debut
Wilson’s first season never really got started. He impressed early in non-padded training camp practices but suffered an ankle injury in the first padded session. During a red-zone drill, Wilson took a jet sweep and was brought down by cornerback Anthony Averett just short of the goal line. The tackle ended with Wilson limping off the field and missing the rest of camp, along with the entire preseason.
He returned to the active roster in Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders, logging five offensive snaps without being targeted. Less than three weeks later, Wilson pulled his hamstring during practice and was placed on injured reserve, cutting his season short again. Although he was designated to return and practiced ahead of Week 18, the team opted not to activate him.
Head coach Mike Tomlin later explained the decision, saying, “He was healthy, but healthy and football readiness were two different things to be quite honest with you. When you’re coming back from injury, you’re essentially getting on a moving train is the analogy that I like to use.”
Tomlin cited Wilson’s lack of game reps and team circumstances, but added, “We’re expecting really good things for him in his second year. I think that’s a reasonable expectation.”
Roman Wilson comes into Year 2 highly motivated.
Wilson worked on route indicators, his body level, his blocking technique, and maintaining his burst in and out of breaks.
“I think with everything I’ve said, there’s some urgency to it. You gotta get going. I’m ready for it.”— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) May 27, 2025
Now with George Pickens traded and the wide receiver room thin, Wilson has a real shot at earning a meaningful role. The Steelers are banking on internal development, with Calvin Austin III among those in the mix, but they haven’t given up on Wilson’s upside. He was the No. 84 pick in 2024 for a reason.
This offseason, Wilson has taken that opportunity seriously. He’s focused on fine-tuning the small things — route indicators, body control, blocking technique, and maintaining speed through his breaks.
Wilson echoed that urgency himself: “I think with everything I’ve said, there’s some urgency to it. You gotta get going. I’m ready for it.”
During the Steelers’ opening OTA session, Wilson looked like a full participant. He ran crisp routes, caught passes in stride, and even made a smooth grab over the middle from backup quarterback Skylar Thompson. While it’s still early in the offseason, the biggest development is clear — Wilson is healthy and making the most of every rep. It’s a shot at redemption, and this time, he plans to make it count.