WR Roman Wilson shows big-play ability in Steelers' preseason loss to Bucs

Roman Wilson provided optimism Saturday night that the Pittsburgh Steelers may have a capable No. 2 wide receiver this season.

The second-year wideout, who missed all but a handful of snaps last season, caught two passes for 72 yards in the Steelers’ 17-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium.

Chase McLaughlin’s 42-yard field goal as time expired snapped a 14-14 tie for the Bucs, who built an early two-touchdown lead against the Steelers.

Wilson caught a 42-yard pass from Mason Rudolph on the third series, setting up the offense at the Tampa Bay 21. On the final play of the quarter, with backup Skylar Thompson in the game at quarterback, Wilson had a 30-yard catch.

“He’s been very dependable over camp,” Rudolph said. “You can tell that it killed him to sit out all last year with the injury. He’s extremely hungry to get out there and make plays and prove himself.”

It was a nice building block for Wilson, who had two catches for 20 yards in the preseason opener. And his contributions were welcomed for a team that had a glaring weakness at the No. 2 receiver spot last season and continued in the offseason when former top threat George Pickens was traded to Dallas.

“I’m trying to get better every day,” Wilson said. “Even if it’s a good day, I have to look at tomorrow and do it again.”

With Calvin Austin III sitting out again with an abdominal injury, Wilson started for the second time in the preseason as top receiver DK Metcalf sat out again.

“He’s had a good camp, and he’s backed that up with some quality in-stadium play,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Feel good about the overall trajectory of him. We’ve got another game and a couple more weeks, and that time is critical for a young guy. He’s got to keep his foot on the gas and keep working.”

Among other players making their debuts at Acrisure Stadium, first-round pick Derrick Harmon had a sack in the first half, and third-rounder Kaleb Johnson broke off a 14-yard run in the second quarter and totaled 50 yards on 11 carries.

“That’s a reasonable thing to expect,” Tomlin said. “The second time stepping into a stadium, you see more of their talents.”

Rudolph played three series, though he was on the field for just eight plays. He completed 3 of 5 attempts for 46 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran once for 7 yards.

The Bucs capitalized on Rudolph’s interception on the first series to take a 7-0 lead. It came with Rudolph targeting Wilson across the middle on the Steelers’ second snap.

Zyon McCollum stepped in front of Wilson for the interception, and his return gave the Bucs the ball at the Steelers 48.

“I have to be quicker to the seam or check the ball down,” said Rudolph, who filled in again for rested starter Aaron Rodgers.

McLaughlin booted an apparent 43-yard field goal, but the Bucs were given a fresh set of downs when D’Shawn Jamison roughed the kicker. Two plays later, Teddy Bridgewater lofted a 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Bucky Irvin. Payton Wilson, cited as one of the team’s best linebackers in coverage, was beaten on the play.

Another gaffe by the special teams set the stage for Tampa Bay to take a 14-0 lead before the opening quarter was complete Corliss Waitman’s 60-yard punt was followed by a 37-yard return. Long snapper Christian Kuntz made the tackle and came off the field clutching his chest.

He was examined in the medical tent before heading to the locker room. He was ruled out for the rest of the game, and defensive lineman Logan Lee replaced him as the snapper.

The long return set up Bridgewater’s 5-yard TD pass to rookie Emeka Egbuka.

Rudolph fared better the next time he went deep to Wilson, the duo connecting on 42-yard completion to the Bucs 21. A pass interference penalty in the end zone set up Rudolph’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Johnson.

Thompson replaced Rudolph with 29 seconds left in the first quarter and played until late in the third when Logan Woodside took over quarterback duties. After throwing three touchdown passes in the preseason opener, Thompson had a quieter night. He completed 10 of 15 attempts for 113 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

Like Rudolph, he was hurt by a pick. Thompson had led the Steelers inside the red zone in the second quarter when, on third and 5 from the 13, he threw pass that was tipped and picked off by Kinder Vildor.

The Steelers tied the score with 3:30 left in the third quarter after Max Hurleman recovered a muffed punt at the Tampa Bay 21. Johnson carried three times on the abbreviated drive, breaking off runs of 9 and 8 yards before Trey Sermon scored on a 1-yard run.

Lew Nichols, a first-year running back, had the longest run of the game, a 37-yarder early in the fourth quarter. The Steelers had a chance to take the lead, but Ben Sauls was wide right on a 43-yard field goal attempt.

Jamison forced a fumble that safety Quindell Johnson recovered at the Steelers 36 with 8:21 to play.

Woodside opened the drive with a 20-yard completion to Roc Taylor to get the Steelers across midfield. It ended, however, when J.J. Galbreath couldn’t hang onto a pass on fourth and 8.

The defense made a stand on fourth-and-1, giving the ball back to the Steelers at midfield with 4:08 remaining. But Woodside’s pass intended for Hurleman was intercepted by linebacker Antonio Grier Jr., who returned it to the Steelers 36. Laughlin booted his field goal after Tampa Bay stopped the clock with three seconds to play.