Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson was a surprise healthy scratch for Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Veteran receivers Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were inserted into the lineup, but Scotty Miller even got a helmet over Wilson.
During his Tuesday press conference, head coach Mike Tomlin explained the decision of giving Miller the nod over Wilson.
“Scotty’s a capable backup punt return and I thought that was the difference,” Tomlin said.
Wilson has 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns this season, but hasn’t lived up to what the Steelers expected when it drafted him in the third round in 2024.
It seems like Thielen and Valdes-Scantling will continue to be in the lineup, so that doesn’t bode well for Wilson moving forward. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers saw a noticeable difference with Thielen and Valdes-Scantling in the fold.
“I’d hate to sound like a broken record, but it’s all about practice,” Rodgers said when asked about the deep passing game being effective against the Ravens. “When you go out there and execute practice like we did this week, it gives you the confidence to be able to make some of those plays. Thought it was our most crisp week of preparation…
“I gotta think that Marquez and Adam out there made a difference from a professionalism standpoint. Not saying those other guys don’t have professionalism… Just think, there was an extra level of focus this week.”
Rodgers completed 23 of 34 passes (67.7%) for a season-high 284 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 103.1 in Sunday’s 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens. He also had a rushing touchdown. DK Metcalf had a season-high seven receptions for 148 yards (21.1 average). Rodgers completed three passes over 20 yards to Metcalf.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Mike Tomlin Explains Why Roman Wilson Was Inactive vs. Ravens
