Ex-Michigan Wolverines player Roman Wilson hasn’t had the chance to make an impact since being drafted by the Steelers this year. From the moment he landed in Pittsburgh, Wilson couldn’t attend the training camps or play a single snap in the regular season. After suffering an ankle injury late in July, the Steelers game against the Chargers this week might offer the rookie WR first minutes in the NFL.

Although it would be a special moment for Wilson to make his debut at the top, it would be an emotional match-up as his former coach, Jim Harbaugh, will be across the sideline. As he opens on this unlikely face-off, “Honestly, I didn’t really think about that. That really hasn’t crossed my mind-looking over at the sideline and seeing my old coach. Maybe on game day, it’s gonna hit me different. It’s such a crazy experience, you know, like my coach being on the other side. I just never thought that would be a thing.” 

Even for Harbaugh, it would be a return to the top league in the American football pyramid. Although Harbaugh did spend three seasons coaching the 49ers, his move back to college football raised multiple eyebrows. Since coaching Michigan for 8 years, Harbaugh helped his former team to win the CFP national championship last year, among other accolades.

Elsewhere, the Steelers WR was trying to get back on the field while offering us some insights from his training. “I watch a lot of film by myself. I watch film with Coach Z. Trying to get better with my hand work, get a little more crafty, just watch receivers, try to emulate their game,” shared the rookie WR. But who is he watching among all the star receivers in the league? Well, it’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans. 

“Right now, I’ve been watching a lot of Mike Evans. I just feel like his technique right now is very underrated. You know, he’s played in the league and done so good for such a long time. Why would I not want to be that guy?” Well, not taking anything away from Evans, but Wilson ditching other receivers’ film in the NFL to watch the 31-year-old means he has seen something special that others haven’t. However, the bigger question going into the next match-up against the Chargers is whether Wilson will manage to make his awaited debut.

Steelers bode good news about Roman Wilson’s availability against the Chargers

After a great start to the season, the Steelers are in for good news surrounding the availability of their rookie WR. Although the Steelers managed to win their first two games of the regular season, they weren’t sensational, to say the least. At times, the offensive line looked pretty thin, and Roman Wilson’s return couldn’t have been at a better time.

This Wednesday’s practice session was the second time Wilson has played a full part without missing any plays. The last one came the previous week on Thursday when Wilson first took part in training since injuring his ankle. Opening up about his return to the field, Wilson stated, “I hope I get to play. That’s not up to me. But every day, I come in this building. I just do what I can to get ready for the game. Just come here and practice hard and do what I’ve got to do one day at a time.”

Well, Wilson’s return to playing contention might be a huge boost for the Steelers offense that squeezed wins against the Falcons and Broncos. As fans, we can only hope that Wilson makes his debut against his former coach, Jim Harbaugh, on Sunday.