Roman Wilson out for Steelers, but Jaylen Warren, Troy Fautanu, Cory Trice to play vs. Falcons

The NFL debut for rookies Roman Wilson and Logan Lee will have to wait. But the most prominent member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 draft class was cleared to play in Sunday’s season opener.

Tackle Troy Fautanu practiced fully for a second consecutive day Friday, according to the league-mandated injury report, and he will be in uniform for Sunday’s game at the Atlanta Falcons.

Fautanu suffered a knee injury during the Aug. 9 preseason opener and returned to full practice earlier this week. The injury absence cost Fautanu a chance to start, however. The Steelers are expected to remain with Broderick Jones as their starting right tackle with veteran Dan Moore Jr. on the left side against the Falcons.

Wilson, a receiver drafted in the third round in April, did not make it through a full practice this week. He has yet to fully recover from an ankle injury suffered less than a week into training camp. His absence leaves the Steelers with only four healthy wide receivers from the active roster, though it is likely that Ben Skowronek, Quez Watkins or Brandon Johnson is elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

Joining Fautanu among those who missed at least some practice time this week because of injury but were given the green light to play were tight end Darnell Washington, running back Jaylen Warren and cornerback Cory Trice.

Washington, the No. 2 tight end, sat out Thursday’s practice for what the team reported as a knee injury. The “1A” running back, Warren has ramped up since suffering a hamstring injury during an Aug. 17 preseason game. Trice, who won the No. 3 outside corner job and has a role in the dime defense, suffered a groin injury during the Aug. 24 preseason finale.

Lee, a defensive lineman drafted in the sixth round, did not practice all week because of a calf injury.

Starting quarterback Russell Wilson is listed as questionable because of a calf injury.