The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their first preseason game on Friday against the Houston Texans, but as of Tuesday, it wasn't clear which of the team's starters would play.
However, head coach Mike Tomlin cleared that up a bit on Wednesday morning when he listed seven players who will not take the field, including quarterback Russell Wilson.
Along with Wilson, guard Isaac Seumalo, defensive lineman Cam Heyward, edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and linebacker Patrick Queen will not suit up. Tomlin added that Fitzpatrick and Queen are dealing with minor injuries.
With Wilson not playing, Tomlin says that fellow signal-caller Justin Fields will start with the first-team offense and play a few series.
Mike Tomlin said today seven players will not play Friday night vs Texans -- Russell Wilson, Isaac Seumalo, Cam Heyward, TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Queen.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 7, 2024
MIke Tomlin said Justin Fields and the first unit will probably play a couple series against the Texans.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 7, 2024
Wilson suffered a calf injury during the team's conditioning test on the same day players reported to training camp. He has been limited since then, but the veteran quarterback did more on Tuesday than he has at any point in camp.
That said, Wilson's status has prevented him from getting a full complement of reps with the first-team offense, but Tomlin isn't concerned about that.
Mike Tomlin said he is not concerned about Russell Wilson's lack of reps with the first-team offense at this point. #Steelers #NFL
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 7, 2024
Hype has been building for Fields in Wilson's absence, but there has been nothing to suggest that he's knocked Wilson out of the "pole position" for the starting job.
An impressive performance on Friday will no doubt help Fields' cause, but it's going to take a lot more than that to knock Wilson off his perch atop the depth chart.
