LATROBE, Pa. — Regardless of being very restricted with a calf harm through the first half of coaching camp, quarterback Russell Wilson is forward of Justin Fields for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ beginning quarterback job, coach Mike Tomlin mentioned Wednesday.
The Steelers launched their first depth chart Tuesday evening, itemizing Wilson because the starter and Fields second.
“You guys noticed the depth chart that I launched yesterday,” Tomlin mentioned. “That’s actual.”
Wilson, nevertheless, will not take part in Friday’s preseason sport towards the Houston Texans. Fields and the first-team offense will play “a pair sequence,” Tomlin mentioned, and will probably be one other alternative for Fields to achieve floor on Wilson.
“I believe every little thing is an audition,” Tomlin mentioned. “Every little thing that we do is an audition not just for him however for others.”
Along with Wilson, T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Alex Highsmith, Isaac Seumalo, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Queen won’t take part in Friday evening’s sport, Tomlin mentioned, citing each veteran standing and minor coaching camp accidents.
Wilson, who beforehand did not play in any preseason sport in 2022 throughout his first 12 months in Denver, accepted Tomlin’s resolution to not play him Friday however mentioned he’ll be able to go if referred to as upon.
“I am ready to play,” Wilson mentioned. “I do know that. So it is no matter coach’s resolution [is]. Clearly he is the boss man that will get to make the selections on that, however I will be able to go.
“There’s been a number of [preseasons] the place I have not performed, so it is nothing new. I believe I have been lucky to play, I do not know, 200 video games or one thing like that. I do not know what number of it’s now. So I do know what it appears like, I do know the velocity of it.”
Whereas Wilson has continued to carry the highest spot on the place regardless of the calf harm, Tomlin mentioned he nonetheless views it as a contest.
“Very a lot is a contest,” Tomlin mentioned. “What occurs in stadium is weighted heavier than what occurs in a observe.”
Tomlin additionally mentioned he is not involved about Wilson’s lack of first-team reps.
Wilson was an onlooker for many group durations by the primary 10 practices of coaching camp, however he ramped up his participation Tuesday, taking 4 reps within the group’s “seven pictures” drill, handing the ball off 3 times and throwing one landing cross to George Pickens. He accomplished one other cross to Pickens throughout an 11-on-11 interval.
“A variety of it’s trusting the medical doctors and the trainers,” Wilson mentioned of the method working him again into observe. “Then clearly each morning I am getting up tremendous early, coaching and on the point of rock and roll. We attempt to be actually sensible about how a lot I am doing on daily basis, however we’re pushing it too.
“I am the form of man that wishes to go on a regular basis, and Coach Tomlin, he’ll simply pull you again a bit of bit. So I believe that steadiness is de facto good.”
With Wilson restricted, Fields has taken the majority of the first-team reps in group durations and walkthroughs.
“I am simply making an attempt to benefit from every rep that I get,” Fields mentioned. “I do know that if he wasn’t harm, then I would not be on this place. So it is simply alternatives for me. I am simply making an attempt to take full benefit of it, to be trustworthy with you, however I am making an attempt to only method each observe the identical, get higher every day and simply construct that chemistry.”
Fields has been spectacular in his reference to Pickens and vast receiver Van Jefferson and challenged the Steelers’ protection along with his operating potential.
“I believe he simply involves compete on daily basis,” Tomlin mentioned of Fields. “He is received an superior aggressive spirit. We received a aggressive surroundings, and it looks like he is having fun with it. He is doing a very good job of acclimating himself to it and to his teammates and letting his expertise present.”
The Steelers have additionally been in touch with the San Francisco 49ers as a possible commerce companion for vast receiver Brandon Aiyuk, sources advised ESPN.
Requested concerning the potential of including any further gamers to the vast receiver room, Tomlin did not supply any perception.
“I am going to allow you to guys speculate on that,” he mentioned with a smile.
Tomlin was additionally requested throughout a radio interview if he had any early calls Wednesday morning.
“It is a bit of early on the west facet,” he mentioned.
