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Steelers may have their true No. 2 WR already on roster 
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Steelers may have their true No. 2 WR already on roster 

Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers are debating signing another veteran wide receiver, it's very possible their true No. 2 option is already on the roster. 

On Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Steelers are bringing in Gabe Davis for a second visit. Davis would be a solid addition based on what's left in the market. 

Available largely due to coming off his worst NFL season, the UCF product caught only 20 passes for 239 yards, granted in just 10 games, in 2024. 

To his credit, Davis did post 746 yards two years ago and 836 in 2022. He can play and he could help Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers' offense. 

But with that said, it's also possible Roman Wilson or Calvin Austin III's potential outweighs the ceiling for Davis. 

Unfortunately for Austin, he's been batting a minor abdominal muscle injury over in recent weeks. Austin's absence from the end of training camp and in Pittsburgh's first two preseason games leaves him behind in terms of developing chemistry with Rodgers and impressing his coaches enough to move up the depth chart. 

Austin's speed is intriguing, but injuries have been what has derailed Austin's career from getting off the ground — he missed his entire rookie season with a serious foot injury suffered during training camp. 

In contrast, Wilson finds himself in a much better situation. In fact, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes the reason the Steelers have delayed their pursuit of a WR2 spot behind DK Metcalf is largely due to their view of Wilson. 

"The Steelers haven’t signed more veteran receivers up to this point in part because they are high on Roman Wilson, who impressed both in the joint practice with the Bucs and the game," said Fowler on Sunday. 

Targeted four times, Wilson made two receptions for 72 yards, highlighted by catching a 42-yard bomb from Mason Rudolph in the first quarter. He caught his only two targets in Jacksonville the week before.

Casting Wilson, 24, into such an important role could be a giant risk, especially for a team with a 41-year-old quarterback and a head coach desperate to embark on a deep playoff run for the first time in a decade. 

So even if Davis does sign with Pittsburgh after all, Steelers fans still shouldn't be surprised if Wilson eventually emerges as that second option as the season progresses. 

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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