Renell Wren was taking part in an ordinary drill during on-field work as part of Phase II of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ organized team activities two weeks ago.
“And literally when I got out of my stance, it felt like someone hit my ankle with a baseball bat,” Wren said Wednesday. “I turned around and thought somebody hit my ankle. And then I looked down, and I just fell down.”
The Achilles tendon in Wren’s right foot had been fully torn. The Steelers put him on injured reserve, ending the veteran defensive lineman’s season more than three months before the campaign was to begin.
“It was very (demoralizing) at that moment because of the work and everything I put into it in the offseason,” Wren said. “The strength coaches and everybody saw that. But I am in good spirits. I already have surgery taken care of and on to the speedy recovery process.”
Wren is getting around with his one leg bent up on a wheeled cart, leading to a colorful way for him to articulate how much he still intends to be around the team this season.
“I will still be able to scoot my way over (to the meeting rooms),” Wren said. “I still want to be a student of the game and do whatever I can do to contribute, even though it’s not a lot.”
A fourth-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019, Wren has 13 games (two starts) of NFL experience. He worked his way from the Steelers’ practice squad last season to be activated for their final two games.
Wren was expected to be in the running for a spot on the 53-man roster as a backup defensive lineman.
“I really like this system and this team,” he said. “I was really excited for OTAs and training camp to come. I felt I had a lot to show with everything.
“But things happen for a reason, so literally just taking it day by day and staying positive and keeping moving. That’s all we can do.”
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