Steelers Will Be Without Promising Rookie Against Falcons

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson has been ruled out for Sunday’s season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced Friday. Steelers veteran left guard Isaac Seumalo (pec) and rookie defensive lineman Logan Lee (calf) are the only other Steelers players ruled out for Sunday’s contest.

Wilson has slowly been working his way back after suffering a left ankle sprain on July 30, which was the early portion of training camp. Wilson suffered the ankle injury after being tackled on a jet sweep by cornerback Anthony Averett in seven shots.

Wilson was inactive for all three preseason games. Despite the setback, he still feels like he’s ready to hit the ground running in his rookie season.

“It does suck not being able to play in the preseason,” Wilson said. “I was really looking forward to it. But being able to play as soon as I can, that’s a blessing for me. It could have been worse.  I could have been sitting out for a longer time.”

Wilson, who was limited throughout this week’s practice, has been trying to absorb as much knowledge as he can for when he gets back to action.

“For me, it’s really just the locking in on the details,” he said. “When I’m in meetings, obviously, I’m not being corrected on, so it’s really taking mental notes of what guys are getting corrected on, how they respond, how I would respond. And really just studying a lot of film for me.”

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson stretching at practice on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. — Ed Thompson/ Steelers Now

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson felt tightness in his right calf during Thursday’s practice, it’s a lingering injury from the start of training camp. He left practice and went to get checked out, turning things over to Justin Fields. Wilson is questionable for Sunday’s game. If he can’t go, Justin Fields will get the nod.

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (hamstring) will be good to go for Sunday’s season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Pitts fully participated in practice for a second straight day after being limited earlier in the week.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that Pitts tweaked his hamstring a “couple weeks ago” and that it hasn’t significantly impacted him, but he was limited in practice on Monday and Wednesday.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.