Five weeks into the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first third-round pick has yet to make his NFL debut.
Wide receiver Roman Wilson was again among the list of inactives for Sunday night’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys. Wilson suffered an ankle injury early during training camp and missed all of the preseason. But he has been deemed totally healthy since Week 3 and was a healthy scratch for the third consecutive game Sunday.
In lieu of dressing Wilson, the Steelers instead elevated receiver Brandon Johnson from their practice squad to make his debut with the team Sunday. Johnson appealed in 20 games the past two seasons for the Denver Broncos.
Though he continues to progress from the calf injury that has plagued him since reporting day to training camp, veteran Russell Wilson again was tabbed Sunday to serve as the “emergency” No. 3 quarterback. Wilson remains atop the team’s official depth chart but has been the QB3 for all five games this season.
The Steelers on Friday made official that running backs Jaylen Warren (knee) and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle), outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin) and reserve tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee) would miss Sunday’s game.
With Warren and Patterson out, the Steelers elevated veteran running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad.
Two players who were listed as questionable on the week’s final injury report Friday — veteran defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi and outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon — were in uniform against Dallas.
The 6-foot-5 Moon was to make his Steelers debut. He appeared in eight games for the Baltimore Ravens last season but began this season on injured reserve.
Signed this past week, veteran offensive lineman Max Scharping was a healthy inactive for the Steelers.
No Parsons for Cowboys
Former Penn State star Micah Parsons was inactive for Dallas. Parsons suffered an ankle injury during the Cowboys’ previous game.
Also listed as out for the Cowboys because of injury was starting cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder), but Dallas’ other starting cornerback, Trevon Diggs, was in uniform to play despite an ankle injury.
Running back Deuce Vaughn, defensive end K.J. Henry, offensive tackle Matt Waletzko and John Stephens Jr. were healthy scratches for the Cowboys.
Former No. 3 overall draft pick Trey Lance was the No. 3 quarterback.
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.