Roman Wilson injury update: Pittsburgh Steelers designate rookie WR to return from IR

The Pittsburgh Steelers have designated rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson to return from injured reserve. Wilson returned to practice on Tuesday, and the Steelers have a 21-day window to either activate him to the 53-man roster or keep him inactive for the rest of the season. Pittsburgh also announced linebacker Cole Holcomb and defensive lineman Logan Lee have returned to practice.

Wilson, who was selected by the Steelers in the third round of this year’s draft, was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 28 due to a hamstring injury. During training camp, the former Michigan Wolverines star suffered a sprained ankle and missed the first five games of the year. Wilson has seen action in just one game this season.

During his time at Michigan, Wilson played in 46 games and caught 107 passes for 1,707 yards and 20 touchdowns. In 2023, Wilson appeared in 15 games and tallied 48 receptions, 789 yards and 12 TDs.

“He’s got versatility,” Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said about Wilson in April, per Steelers.com. “The game has evolved. You do motion and it’s condensed on early downs. Whether you’re at the X (receiver) or the Z (receiver), it’s kind of interchangeable. When you get into some of the passing situations on later downs, he’s got inside-out flexibility. You like his instincts that he could play inside on obvious passing situations.”

Roman Wilson explains why the Steelers drafted him

“He’s another really high-football character player,” Smith added. “You could see his instincts on tape. He stepped up in the big moments. He had a great energy about him, too, when I met him in person. … He’s got versatility. He’s got a lot of instinct.”

“The reason they took me is they expect me to come in and play and help this team win games,” Wilson said after the Steelers drafted him. “That is exactly what I am going to come in and do.”

Wilson also talked about the type of player the Steelers are getting. “Someone that is hungry and looking to make the most out of every opportunity,” he stated. “Someone that’s been doubted on and wants to prove everybody wrong. Just watching this draft, I feel like I am doubted on. I felt like I was a top-10 receiver. Just watching a lot of receivers go in front of me, I feel like a lot of people doubted me.”