As far as NFL debuts go for third-round draft picks coming off a prominent role for a college national championship team, it barely registered: five offensive snaps played, one route run, no catches or targets, no special-teams work.
Still, receiver Roman Wilson now forever is an NFL player and a Pittsburgh Steeler.
“It was good to be going out there playing,” Wilson said before Wednesday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “I wouldn’t say I am going to ease up (preparation) or anything, but it was a good feeling to go out there and get the win.”
Michigan’s leading receiver last year, Wilson served as the Steelers’ No. 5 wide receiver during Sunday’s 32-13 win at the Las Vegas Raiders. That was an upgrade over the first five games of the season when he was not in uniform. While during Weeks 1 and 2 — officially, at least — that was because of an ankle injury suffered early on during training camp. For the Steelers’ previous three games before Sunday it was a healthy-scratch designation.
For the prior game, the Steelers even bypassed Wilson in favor of elevating Brandon Johnson from the practice squad.
In explaining why Wilson had not yet played, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has cited the loss of practice reps and preseason games as a rookie.
Wilson maintains he prepares each week during practice as if he will play that ensuing Sunday. He finally got that chance, albeit in a tiny sample size.
“Guys are good,” he said of his impressions, “guys are moving a little faster. But at the end of the day, it’s still football, so it was good.
“I’m just trying to get better every day, doing everything I can do to just get a little bit better. … That’s just my mindset.”
Payton gets a Ring
The Steelers’ other third-round pick, Payton Wilson, is set to spend the Steelers’ upcoming bye week at his alma mater. And before he takes in N.C. State’s Nov. 2 game against Stanford, Wilson will be honored via an induction into the school’s football Ring of Honor.
“It’s super cool,” Wilson said. “I put a lot of blood, sweat and effort into that place, and just for them to give it back to me I can’t thank them enough. Coach (Dave) Doeren called me like two weeks ago, and I was just super honored and super humbled and super excited.”
Wilson’s name will join some others familiar to him and the Steelers. Last year’s honoree at N.C. State’s Carter-Finey Stadium was former Steelers coach and Crafton native Bill Cowher. Another of the 13 former Wolf Pack players in the Ring of Honor is current Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson.
