To fill the roster spot, the Steelers signed running back Lew Nichols from the practice squad to the active roster. Nichols will appear on Pittsburgh’s active roster for the first time this Sunday against Tampa Bay, after spending the past three weeks as a practice squad elevation. He has rushed six yards on two carries in those appearances.
Wilson is in his third season with the Steelers, having been selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. After an injury-plagued rookie campaign and a slow start in 2025, Wilson has emerged this season as a decent deep threat and depth threat (WR3) for Pittsburgh. In the first five games of the year, Wilson posted a career-best 14 receptions for 188 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns. He exited last Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts with a finger injury and did not return.
In addition to Wilson’s IR designation, the Steelers announced Week 6 practice squad elevations for Sunday, promoting wide receivers Brandon Johnson and Brandon Smith from the practice squad. Both receivers will revert to the practice squad after Pittsburgh’s game against Tampa Bay on October 18.
The IR stint suggests Wilson will be out for a stretch that covers at least the next four games, including upcoming matchups with Tampa Bay, New Orleans, and Cleveland, followed by Pittsburgh’s bye week. The return timeline also means Wilson will miss the Week 10 rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 15.
