Arthur Smith Backs Young Steelers Receiver After Week 9 Miscue

Arthur Smith isn’t ready to abandon a Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver following a misguided play in Sunday’s 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Roman Wilson gave the Colts an opening when he lost a fumble late in the Week 9 victory. The 24-year-old went airborne as the Steelers attempted to run out the clock while up 10 with less than four minutes remaining.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin criticized the “boneheaded” move after the game, saying Wilson has otherwise shown improvement. His offensive coordinator backed the second-year pro on Thursday, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Brian Batko.

“We’ve got a lot of faith in Roman,” Smith said. “He’s a tough-minded guy.”

Smith reasoned, courtesy of Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders, that last year’s third-round pick can grow from the mistake.

“Those are tough lessons to learn,” Smith said. “Sometimes, adversity can be your best teacher. …. You don’t give up on guys. That’s trust.”

Wilson has yet to make his mark in Pittsburgh’s offense. After appearing in just one game as a rookie, he’s caught nine of 12 targets for 114 yards and a touchdown this season.

The 5-foot-10 wideout enjoyed a breakout game in Week 8, setting career highs with four catches, 74 yards and a score in a primetime loss to the Green Bay Packers. However, Wilson fumbled away his only touch of last Sunday’s game.

Pittsburgh didn’t trade for a wide receiver before Tuesday’s deadline, instead signing Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad. That amplifies the need for Wilson or another pass-catcher to develop into a reliable target for Aaron Rodgers behind DK Metcalf.

More NFL: Steelers Star Receiver Addresses Lack Of Targets From Aaron Rodgers