Mike Tomlin: Roman Wilson 'week-to-week' with ankle sprain in latest injury update
Earlier this week, Roman Wilson left training camp on a cart after suffering an ankle injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie avoided a serious injury, though, and Mike Tomlin confirmed that after Thursday’s practice.
Tomlin said Wilson “can be characterized as week-to-week” after suffering a sprained ankle on Tuesday. The Steelers selected Wilson out of Michigan in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but it’s still unclear when exactly he can get back on the field in preparation for his rookie season.
“He’s got an ankle sprain,” Tomlin told reporters. “It can be characterized as week-to-week at this juncture. We’ve got him walking around in a boot for precaution. I’ll give you more information as he gets closer to healthy.”
Wilson was working on a jet sweep at the time of his injury earlier this week when he left on a card. Reports indicated he avoided a serious injury, though, which bodes well as he tries to make an impact in the Steelers’ wide receiver room in his first NFL season. The expectation remains he will be available for the season opener.
Roman Wilson is coming off a huge senior season at Michigan last year, helping the Wolverines to a national championship. He totaled 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns as J.J. McCarthy’s top target, and it helped him become the No. 84 overall pick in the draft.
Russell Wilson also limited in Thursday’s practice
Russell Wilson also practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday as he works his way back from a calf injury. That means Justin Fields has been taking reps with the first team as he battles for the starting job.
However, Wilson is still likely in the “pole position” to be the starter for Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. However, Fields has “gained some ground” while working with the ones during Wilson’s absence.
“You heard that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin come out before camp and say, in his words, that Russell Wilson had the ‘pole position’ to win the Steelers’ starting quarterback job,” Schefter said. “But what happens when you have the pole position and you suffer a calf strain early in camp and you give you’re competition some reps, that enables Justin Fields to make a mark with the coaching staff, and he certainly did.
“I think Russell Wilson remains in the pole position, but I also think that Justin Fields has opened some eyes, and they see the type of offense they could have. We know how this staff has felt about Justin Fields in the past, and he has gotten better at practice every day, as it’s been told to me. So we’ll see how this plays out over the summer. Again, I think Russell is in the lead, but I think Justin Fields has gained some ground just by being out there with Russell being sidelined with that calf injury.”