Steelers' Mike Tomlin Seemed Mad About Roman Wilson's New Injury: "I Moved On"

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke to reporters after the team's 37–15 victory over the New York Jets. During his normal Tuesday press conference, the Pittsburgh media was once again in attendance, who were beginning to wonder why rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson was not playing. The 23-year-old wideout's hamstring injury was widely thought to cause his incapacity to play.

Wilson has struggled to contribute in his rookie season after battling an ankle injury earlier in training camp. After being active for the Week 6 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he played just five snaps, expectations were high for him to contribute more in the following games. However, fans began questioning his status when it was announced that Wilson would not play against the Jets. 

In the press conference, Tomlin was asked about Wilson’s availability, specifically if his new hamstring injury was the reason for his absence. Tomlin’s response suggested that there were more factors at play. 

“No,” Tomlin stated plainly when asked if Wilson’s absence was purely injury-related. “You know, he missed some practice time because of the hammy, and as we’ve talked repeatedly in this setting, Roman needs to work for me to really consider him.” 

Tomlin's tone seemed to express a sense of frustration, indicating that Wilson’s inability to practice had been a critical factor in his lack of playing time. For Tomlin, it’s not just about a player being physically able to suit up; it’s about the work they put in during the week to earn that spot. 

“His participation got compromised some last week,” Tomlin added, “And so really, once it got compromised, I moved on.” 

Regardless of skill, a player's ability to contribute is limited if they don't get enough time on the practice field. Tomlin expressed his frustration with Wilson's limited availability in his remarks, emphasizing how important it is to be mentally and physically prepared in order to get playing time. 

Wilson’s slow start to his NFL career is likely not what the Steelers or their fans had in mind, largely due to injuries. Now, according to Tomlin, his lack of practice time is a major factor as well. Fans, hopeful of seeing Wilson as a key piece in the Steelers’ offense, were eager to see how he could contribute after his first active game in Week 6. Unfortunately, Wilson’s brief appearance of just five snaps against the Raiders left many wondering when he would get another chance. 

Following Tomlin's comments, the mounting worries about Wilson's availability have only gotten worse. Wilson's limited playing time has undoubtedly been influenced by injuries, but it's possible that his absence from practice is the greater problem. The bottom line for Tomlin is straightforward: regardless of their potential, players who don't practice frequently won't see a lot of playing time. 

Steelers Prioritize Readiness Over Potential

As the Steelers prepare for their Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants, Tomlin reaffirmed his assertion that preparation is more important than potential. While Wilson’s hamstring injury may have been a contributing factor to his reduced workload, it’s evident that his missed practice time weighed more heavily on Tomlin’s decision to keep him sidelined during the Jets game. 

Wilson's future role is still up in the air as the Steelers are 5-2 and riding high after defeating the Jets. Will the young receiver be able to earn back Tomlin's confidence and establish a more significant offensive role? Or will his lack of practice time keep getting in the way of his development? 

For the time being, Wilson will likely need to demonstrate that he is not only physically fit, but also regularly shows up and works hard during practice. His skill is indisputable, but as Tomlin explained, a player's preparation throughout the week is just as important as their skill. 

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