Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Roman Wilson’s journey to becoming a big part of the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver room has been rough. Well, a dislocated finger is the newest roadblock for the rising X-Factor.
According to The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, Wilson was heavily bandaged in the locker room Monday morning. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler expects the wideout to miss time. It’s devastating news for a former collegiate star with fewer NFL reps than expected.
Wilson’s injury couldn’t come at a worse time for Pittsburgh’s receiving corps. But it could accelerate Germie Bernard’s emergence as Aaron Rodgers’ next reliable weapon.
Wilson missed basically the entire 2024 season due to ankle and hamstring issues. Since then, he’s put up just 354 receiving yards and four touchdowns. His increasing role in previous games this season was pleasing to see.
In Week 4, Wilson produced 74 receiving yards and a touchdown reception against the Cleveland Browns.
But fans expect consistency. And they have every right to. Plus, Mike McCarthy’s offense has a wide receiver shortage and could use all hands available. Luckily, Aaron Rodgers is developing a growing bond with rookie Germie Bernard.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need Germie Bernard to step up while Roman Wilson is missing in action
Rookie contributions are not always guaranteed. But Pittsburgh’s second-round pick holds himself to higher expectations. Bernard’s impact is almost impossible to ignore. He’s become a reliable target for an aging quarterback while stepping into bigger roles on the depth chart.
Bernard earned six receptions on nine targets for 80 receiving yards. He finished second behind Jaylen Warren (87) in production while Michael Pittman Jr. nursed a foot injury. We would be remiss to waltz by the rookie’s timely performance. He contributed and surpassed expectations with flying colors.
But can he thrive in a bigger role?
He hasn’t given us a reason to doubt him. Just look at his collegiate career. In 2025, Bernard led the Alabama Crimson Tide receiving corps in receptions (64) and receiving yards (862). He also finished second in touchdown receptions (7). His work ethic is quickly translating to the professional gridiron.
This season, Bernard averages 10.8 yards per reception. Rodgers doesn’t hesitate to look his way. It’s easy to locate the rookie on intermediate routes for quick catch-and-run completions. It’s a role Wilson was beginning to thrive in before his injury. But now, it’s a great role for Pittsburgh’s rookie to master.
While the Steelers wait for Wilson’s return, Bernard will be a catalyst for Mike McCarthy’s offense. He’ll have assistance from DK Metcalf and Pat Freiermuth along the way, but the rookie is motivated to leave a lasting impression during his first campaign.
It’s a relief to know Pittsburgh can rely on their rookie to carry the load during a tough stretch. They have limited wide receivers available and need Bernard to contribute while Wilson hopefully makes a speedy recovery.
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