Neither wide receiver Roman Wilson nor running back Kaleb Johnson was able to carve out much of a role with the Pittsburgh Steelers during 2025. If Wilson or Johnson is going to “turn a new leaf” in 2026, it will likely have to wait until next season.
The Steelers included both Roman Wilson and Johnson on their inactive list for Week 18 on Sunday night. That means neither will dress for the must-win matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers drafted Wilson at No. 84 overall in 2024 and Johnson at No. 83 overall during 2025. As former third-round picks, both were expected to play significant roles in the Pittsburgh offense this season.
However, that didn’t happen. Now, both are probably not going to play again this season.
If the Steelers lose Sunday, the team’s season is finished. Even with a win to clinch a playoff berth, it would likely take multiple injuries for either Wilson or Johnson to receive playing time in the postseason.
Wilson has been active for a game just once over the past month. That was last week. But against the Cleveland Browns, Wilson didn’t receive a target in a 13-6 loss.
The defeat set up the Steelers-Ravens showdown for the AFC North title on January 4.
Wilson has played in 13 games this season. He will finish the campaign with 12 catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
Johnson was inactive last week versus the Browns. He last played against the Miami Dolphins during Week 15 on December 15.
In that game, Johnson had four rushing yards on two carries.
Johnson appeared in 10 games this season. He had 69 rushing yards and one catch for nine receiving yards.
Along with Wilson and Johnson, the Steelers announced cornerback Tre Flowers, linebacker Jeremiah Moon, offensive lineman Jack Driscoll and quarterback Will Howard as their inactive players. Howard will serve as the team’s emergency No. 3 quarterback.
Steelers Make Roman Wilson
It’s not shocking both Wilson and Johnson are inactive for the Ravens matchup. As previously stated, both had small roles on the offense this season.
Still, it speaks to the disappointment for both young playmakers during 2025.
Even in a shallow wide receiver room, Wilson managed little production. The Steelers seemed to lose faith in Wilson during early December when the team signed veteran wideouts Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Since adding those receivers, Wilson has played in a single game. He received that opportunity because of a Week 17 suspension to D.K. Metcalf.
But despite some hype from head coach Mike Tomlin before his return, Wilson did nothing with the Week 17 opportunity. The Steelers coaching staff can share the blame. Wilson played just five offensive snaps versus the Browns on December 29.
At receiver, Calvin Austin III will return for Pittsburgh against the Ravens. Austin didn’t play versus the Browns.
Thielen, Valdes-Scantling, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek are also set to be active. Metcalf will miss the contest, as he finishes serving his two-game suspension.
Kaleb Johnson Also Inactive for Steelers
Johnson’s rookie season started on the wrong foot from nearly the get-go.
As the team’s RB3 in September, the Steelers tried to use Johnson as a kickoff returner. That went terribly wrong when Johnson muffed a kickoff during Week 2. The Seattle Seahawks recovered the muff for a touchdown. That mistake played a huge role in an early-season Pittsburgh defeat.
Johnson rebounded to get six carries in two of the team’s next three games after Week 2. But since October 12, Johnson has posted just 14 carries in six games.
In Week 18, the Steelers will roll with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell at running back. The team also has full back Connor Heyward, who has run the infamous tush-push play for the Steelers this season.
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