Steelers notes: Roman Wilson vows return to field ‘soon,’ Markus Golden explains retirement

As a rookie drafted in the middle rounds given a legitimate opportunity to play a significant role in the offense, Roman Wilson decries the timing of the injury he suffered during the fifth practice of training camp.

“It does (stink) not being able to play in preseason,” Wilson said after Wednesday’s Steelers practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “That was something I was looking forward to. But being able to play as soon as I can, that’s a blessing for me. It could have been worse. I could be sitting out for a longer time so it’s good.”

Speaking to media at large for the first time since his left ankle was sprained during a July 30 practice at Saint Vincent College, Wilson vowed “I’ll be back soon. (The ankle) feels good. I feel pretty confident with it.”

A third-round pick after being part of a national championship-winning team at Michigan, Wilson entered camp with a chance to win the starting slot receiver job and/or serve as the WR3. Though he hasn’t taken a practice rep in more than three weeks and might go at least as much as a month without live reps, Wilson is making the best of the situation.

“This has been a good opportunity for me,” he said. “I knew the playbook before, but this is a good opportunity for me to really take a deep dive and really learn the in and out of the offense and the whole scheme and schematics and things like that.

“For me It’s really just the details, locking up details. When I’m in meetings, obviously I’m not being corrected on. So really just taking mental notes of what guys are getting corrected on. How are they going to respond, how would I respond, and just breaking down a lot of film for me.”

Official goodbye

Twelve days after the Steelers announced they had placed him on the reserve/retired list, Markus Golden took to social media to make his own statement to both confirm and explain that decision.

A 33-year-old, nine-year NFL veteran, Golden served as the top backup at outside linebacker for the Steelers last season.

#KeepHuntin pic.twitter.com/XMVJKaT8Io

— Markus Golden (@markusgolden) August 21, 2024

“Football has always been more than just a sport to me,” read posts on Instagram and X accounts belonging to Golden. “I’ve officially retired from the NFL after playing the game I’ve loved all my life. I feel truly blessed to have been able to live out the dreams and goals I set for myself as a kid.”

Golden had 51 sacks in 127 NFL games, including four in 16 games for the Steelers last season. He was a starter for his final pro game, the Steelers’ wild-card round playoff loss at Buffalo in January.

His retirement leaves the Steelers with question marks at OLB behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith and top reserve Nick Herbig.