Why is Roman Wilson inactive for Pittsburgh Steelers again in Week 5?

Mike Moraitis

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Why is Roman Wilson inactive for Pittsburgh Steelers again in Week 5? image

We'll have to wait yet another week for the debut of Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 third-round pick and wide receiver Roman Wilson.

As had been the case in the previous four games this season, Wilson is inactive yet again ahead of the Week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys. And, yes, Wilson is a healthy scratch.

The Michigan product suffered an ankle injury during training camp that kept him out for the rest of the offseason. Wilson was finally healthy enough to log a full practice in Week 2, but didn't play.

Then, in Week 3, Wilson had two full practices, taking yet another step closer, but it was the same story and he didn't play. And, despite logging nothing but full practices ahead of the Week 4 and Week 5 games, Wilson still didn't suit up.

Why is Roman Wilson inactive again?

So, what gives? Well, head coach Mike Tomlin has made it very clear that Wilson isn't ready to take the field for multiple reasons.

"And specifically as it pertains to Roman, he got hurt on the sixth play of the first practice (in pads) of training camp," Tomlin said before the Week 5 game, according to Bob Labriola of Steelers.com. "And so there are some developmental things, there are some physical plays and conditioning and learning and things that go into his process that are not reflective of the overall process. Roman doesn’t have a whole lot of in-helmet experience to draw from. He’s healthy, but he still has a lot of work ahead of him in terms of being game ready."

Adding to that, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith seems intent on just dressing four wide receivers (George Pickens, Van Jefferrson, Calvin Austin and Scotty Miller) and four tight ends for now, while also noting Wilson simply isn't ready.

"(Wilson) is out there looking better," Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan on Friday. "But it seems to me (Arthur Smith) is really comfortable dressing four receivers and four tight ends."

"That might seem like a foreign concept with other coordinators," Fittipaldo added. "But with him, it's OK... He can get it done in other ways. I know there's going to be a time when Roman Wilson is ready. I just don't sense that that time is this week."

So, there you have it. Even with their shaky wide receiver situation, the Steelers aren't going to rush Wilson onto the field if he isn't ready for it. Here's to hoping we get to finally see him in Week 6.

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis Photo

After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.