As the Pittsburgh Steelers turn the page to Week 5 for their upcoming matchup versus the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, things remain status quo at the quarterback position, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.
Tomlin addressed the media for his usual session on Tuesday and once again said that the team is preparing to start Justin Fields under center in Week 5 as Russell Wilson's status remains up in the air.
"Yes, I am," Tomlin said when asked about the Steelers' quarterback situation for their next game.
However, he did say that Wilson's "participation is going to pick up some" this week, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, so it appears Wilson is making some progress in his quest to get healthy.
Russell Wilson injury update
Tomlin's comments come on the heels of NFL Network's Ian Rapoport's reporting on Sunday that Wilson is expected to be a full-go at practice at some point this week, and he should be healthy enough to play. He reiterated that report on Tuesday.
"My understanding is that time is coming," Rapoport said on Sunday. "Russell Wilson is nearing full health, as close to full health as he has been. In fact, if it was a playoff game, if it was a Super Bowl, he would for sure be playing. That said, likely after (Week 4), Mike Tomlin will get to a point where Russell Wilson will be healthy enough, have to name a starter, and that is expected, of course, to be Justin Fields."
Russell Wilson, if all goes well, likely ends this week as a full participant. And Justin Fields continues to start. https://t.co/cwdVUEmGiw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 1, 2024
Will Russell Wilson start in Week 5?
As Rapoport notes, Fields is expected to remain the starter, even when Wilson is healthy enough to play. At this point, that's not shocking after the Steelers have posted a 3-1 record with Fields at the helm.
Granted, Fields hasn't lit the world on fire by any means, but he has steadily gotten better over the course of four games and he's coming off a Week 4 performance that was the best of his Steelers tenure.
But there's a good chance that Fields' leash won't be long once Wilson is healthy and waiting in the wings. If Fields falters, the Steelers are going to want to get a look at the signal-caller they originally named their starter to see if he can offer Pittsburgh an upgrade at the position.
