PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson has just one reception for seven yards through four games, but that doesn’t mean the former Michigan Wolverine is not progressing.
Wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni likes the trajectory that Wilson is on.
“Roman’s progressing. He’s doing a good job. You know, I’ve gotten that question a bit from a lot of people and he’s doing great. There’s no ‘Roman’s in the dog house’ or anything like that. Roman’s doing just fine,” Azzanni said on Tuesday. “We just happen to be pretty good at tight end and wideout and what we’re doing, running the ball. But Roman, he’s in the mix just like all the other guys. Obviously, his role will keep elevating as the season goes on, for sure. Organically. And it will just start to happen. I just tell him, ‘When it happens, be ready. Be ready for that opportunity.’ Just like that (recovering an) onside kick (against Minnesota ). And he was.”
Wilson could receive more playing time with Calvin Austin III banged up with a shoulder injury. Ben Skowronek (18 snaps) and Scotty Miller (13 snaps) got significant more playing time than Wilson (3 snaps) against the Vikings, however.
“It’s not just one person,” Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said when asked about replacing Austin. “I mean, it’s like week-to-week. … Certainly Roman, those other receivers, there will be more opportunities depending on what Calvin — how long they tell us, what’s really going on there.”
Wilson showed promise in the preseason, recording four catches for 96 yards.
Wilson has had a difficult start to his NFL career thus far. Shortly after Pittsburgh selected him in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he suffered an ankle injury during the beginning stages of training camp.
That derailed his rookie season, as he spent the majority of it on injured reserve and failed to record a stat when on the field.
However, now fully healthy, he looks ready to produce whenever his number is called, just like he did during the preseason.
“You know, he’s had a good camp,” Tomlin said . “And he’s backed that up with some quality in-stadium play and so I feel good about the overall trajectory of him. … He’s gotta keep his foot on the gas and keep working.”
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Like the Trajectory of Roman Wilson: ‘His Role Will Keep Elevating’
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