Rookie WR Roman Wilson made good progress in the first week of training camp and looked like he could be a weapon for the Pittsburgh Steelers as early as Week 1 of the regular season. In the first four practices, he caught all seven passes aimed at him for 97 yards and a touchdown, according to Alex Kozora’s training camp stats. Unfortunately, he suffered an ankle injury that jeopardizes the start of his rookie season.
His injury has been week-to-week, and he has since ditched the walking boot and brace he wore in training camp. The injury occurred on July 30, just over three weeks ago. If Wilson wants to be a part of the offense in Week 1, he would likely have to play in the final preseason game on Saturday, or at least practice with the team on a limited basis.
“I don’t think he’s going to play. He didn’t practice yesterday,” Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo said Wednesday on 93.7 The Fan’s Morning Show. “His situation is definitely something to keep an eye on. He’s obviously a third-round pick. They’re going to keep him on the 53-man roster. But being a rookie and not playing any preseason games, depending on what else happens with this roster, I think he’s a candidate to start on the injured list.”
“So that’s something we’ll have to watch for next week. When he returns to training later this week and next week, we’ll see. But right now, things aren’t looking good for Roman Wilson.”
If he is indeed placed on the reserve/injured list during next Tuesday’s roster reduction, Wilson would have to miss at least four games. He would be eligible to return for the Week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
That outcome would be a little surprising to me. Other reports have recently indicated that there is optimism that Wilson could return to practice very soon. Adam Caplan gave a 7- to 10-day timeline for a possible return to practice on August 13. That would mean Wilson would be back to practice in the next few days. But as Fittipaldo said, he did not practice with the team on Tuesday.
Gerry Dulac has already reported that Wilson will likely be back for the final preseason game. The clock is obviously ticking on the likelihood of that happening if he didn’t practice on Tuesday. The final preseason game is in Detroit, so the Steelers only have a few days left to practice before they head north.
Given the situation in the wide receiver room, I would think they would do everything possible to avoid Wilson’s stint on the injured list. But until he starts practicing again and shows good progress, there remains a chance he begins his career in sweats on the sidelines.
