Among questions about the quarterback situation and the 2025 draft class at the NFL Combine, Steelers general manager Omar Khan also provided updates about several Steelers players who missed much of the 2024 season with injury.

Notably, Khan stated that both linebacker Cole Holcomb and rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson would’ve been able to contribute if the Steelers had lasted longer in the playoffs.

“Unfortunately the season didn’t continue for us, but Cole could’ve helped us in the playoffs. He would’ve been ready to go,” said Khan.

“I have a lot of confidence in Roman,” he added later on. “Roman was in position to play if we needed him to in the postseason. I think he could’ve helped us. But the arrow is up on him.”

Holcomb spent 2024 on the PUP list recovering from a gruesome knee injury he suffered in 2023; Wilson missed nearly all of the 2024 regular season dealing with ankle and hamstring injuries.

Khan also answered a question about the status of rookie safety Ryan Watts, who suffered a neck injury in the team’s final preseason game and spent the regular season on injured reserve. Khan’s update wasn’t as optimistic as his statements on Holcomb and Wilson, but his eyes lit up in praise of the young defensive back’s development.

“Really excited about Ryan’s progression last year; he just got better and better every week,” said Khan. “He had a significant injury. We’ll see how all that shakes out. Was really disappointed in how that ended for him because that young man was really trending in the right direction.”

Watts underwent a neck surgery in January, months after his initial injury. “This has easily been one of the hardest years of my life,” he wrote on Instagram.

While Watts’ status is in question heading into the offseason, it seems that Holcomb and Wilson will be ready to go. However, one notable thing to watch will be how the Steelers navigate Holcomb’s contract. He has a $7.6 million cap hit in 2025 after missing a season-and-a-half of football.