Steelers lose receiver Roman Wilson to injured reserve with finger injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers moved wide receiver Roman Wilson to injured reserve this week because of a finger injury. The move means he sits out at least four games before he's eligible to return.

Wilson put up 14 receptions, 188 yards and a pair of touchdowns so far this season. Those aren't eye-popping totals, but they're real contributions from a guy who was giving the offense another option. Losing him thins out a receiving corps that needs every body it can get.

What the Steelers Lose

Pittsburgh already scratched Wilson from the Week 6 game against Tampa Bay. The IR designation makes it official: he's gone until Week 10 at the earliest, and that's only if the finger heals clean.

Finger injuries are a problem for receivers. You catch with your hands, and even after the bone or ligament heals, there's a trust issue. Guys come back tentative. Four weeks is the league minimum on IR; it could stretch longer if the hand isn't right.

Wilson wasn't the top target, but two touchdowns and nearly 200 yards meant defenses had to account for him. Now the Steelers have to shuffle the depth chart and hope someone else steps up without missing a beat.

The timing stinks. Pittsburgh is trying to stay in the playoff hunt, and losing a contributor for a month or more forces the offense to adjust on the fly. Wilson's season isn't done, but it's on hold, and the Steelers have to figure out how to keep moving without him.

The Road Ahead

The Steelers face Tampa Bay without Wilson, then have to navigate at least three more games before he's even eligible to come back. The passing game has to find answers in the meantime, or this injury becomes a bigger problem than just one guy on IR.

Wilson will get his shot to return when the hand is ready. Until then, Pittsburgh's receiver room just got a lot more crowded with question marks.