Steelers fans were holding their breath when third-round pick Roman Wilson went down with an injury and had to be carted off the field earlier this week at training camp. The shifty slot receiver out of Michigan figured to play a huge role in an offense desperate for wide receiver talent.
While it was announced that Wilson should be ready by the regular season, it's generally not a great thing for a rookie to miss a large portion of training camp and the preseason. It's unfair to expect Wilson to slot in as a starter when the Steelers take the field in Atlanta next month. But as the old saying goes, one man's setback is another man's opportunity. And the man in this situation is Calvin Austin III.
Calvin Austin III could shine with added opportunities at Steelers camp
Austin III was a fourth-round pick in 2022 out of Memphis. He's always been known for his speed, as he ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Similar to Wilson, Austin III also suffered an injury in the offseason of the year he was drafted and ended up missing his entire rookie season.
Austin III entered the 2023 season figuring to make a big impact on the Steelers' offense but struggled to gain any traction. He played in all 17 games but only amassed 17 receptions for 180 yards and 1 touchdown. 72 of those yards and his only receiving touchdown came on one play against the Raiders in week 3.
The Steelers utilized Austin III a bit in the running game through some jet sweeps, but not enough to make a significant impact. Now, entering his third season in the league, Austin III is at a pivotal point in his career. He'll be a free agent at the end of the 2025 season and needs to start proving he can make an impact at the NFL level to earn another contract.
While the Roma Wilson injury sucks, it does provide a big opportunity for Austin III. He'll get a majority of the first-team reps at slot receiver in practice and the preseason and should figure to start there in Week 1. If Austin III can't prove himself worthy of starting there after all those reps, the Steelers could have a lot of question marks about him entering this next offseason.
Calvin Austin III has the type of speed that can be a game-changer in the NFL. Now he has the chance to prove it to the league. His ability or inability to do so could determine the success of the 2024 Steelers offense.