Is Roman Wilson playing tonight vs. Ravens? Exploring the Steelers' WR's status for Wild Card Weekend

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected receiver Roman Wilson with the 84th pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft. But if it weren't for the five snaps (zero targets) he recorded in the Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the wide receiver's rookie season would have been completely nonexistent.

Wilson's problems started when he hurt his ankle during the first week of training camp and subsequently sat out the whole preseason. The former Michigan Wolverine was just beginning to heal when he sustained an injury to his hamstring that has kept him out since Week 8.

Although it was first anticipated that he would only miss four games after being placed on injured reserve in October, he is still yet to be activated.

Some Steelers supporters were expecting Wilson would be activated before the team's game against the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round since he has been participating fully in practices for the last two weeks.

Exploring Roman Wilson's availability status for tonight's wild-card game

Despite being listed as a full participant in all three injury reports the Pittsburgh Steelers released this week, Roman Wilson was ruled out on the team's final injury report on Friday.

The Steelers didn't open Wilson's 21-day window until Dec. 31, even though he has been eligible to return off IR since Week 13. While he has consistently practiced in full since being designated to return, he won't be activated before Saturday’s kickoff.

Wilson will hope Pittsburgh defeats the Baltimore Ravens to move on to the divisional round and get another opportunity to play this season. If not, the rookie wide receiver won't play in the NFL until the 2025 season.

With the exception of George Pickens, the Steelers' wideouts have not produced consistently this season. Therefore, if Wilson's first season had gone differently, he might have been a decent offensive asset for them.

Along with Wilson, the Steelers' final injury report on Friday ruled out defensive lineman Logan Lee (calf) and linebacker Cole Holcomb (knee), both of whom were also designated to return last week. Guard Mason McCormick, who has a fractured hand, was also designated by the team as questionable for the game in the wild-card round.

Speaking about his hand injury over the week, McCormick disclosed that he will be wearing a brace rather than a cast if he suits up on Saturday.