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 stated Wednesday.
The Steelers launched their first depth chart Tuesday night time, itemizing Wilson because the starter and Fields second.
“You guys noticed the depth chart that I launched yesterday,” Tomlin stated. “That’s actual.”
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Wilson, nonetheless, will not take part in Friday’s preseason recreation towards the Houston Texans. Fields and the first-team offense will play “a pair collection,” Tomlin stated, and will probably be one other alternative for Fields to realize floor on Wilson.
“I believe the whole lot is an audition,” Tomlin stated. “All the things 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 is not going to take part in Friday night time’s recreation, Tomlin stated, citing each veteran standing and minor coaching camp accidents.
Wilson, who beforehand did not play in any preseason recreation in 2022 throughout his first yr in Denver, accepted Tomlin’s determination to not play him Friday however stated he’ll be able to go if known as upon.
“I am ready to play,” Wilson stated. “I do know that. So it is no matter coach’s determination [is]. Clearly he is the boss man that will get to make the choices on that, however I will be able to go.
“There’s been a number of [preseasons] the place I have never 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 to be like like, I do know the pace of it.”
Whereas Wilson has continued to carry the highest spot on the place regardless of the calf harm, Tomlin stated he nonetheless views it as a contest.
“Very a lot is a contest,” Tomlin stated. “What occurs in stadium is weighted heavier than what occurs in a observe.”
Tomlin additionally stated he isn’t involved about Wilson’s lack of first-team reps.
Wilson was an onlooker for many group intervals via 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 thrice and throwing one landing move to George Pickens. He accomplished one other move to Pickens throughout an 11-on-11 interval.
“Loads of it’s trusting the docs and the trainers,” Wilson stated of the method working him again into observe. “Then clearly each morning I am getting up tremendous early, coaching and on the brink of rock and roll. We attempt to be actually good about how a lot I am doing each day, however we’re pushing it too.
“I am the sort of man that wishes to go on a regular basis, and Coach Tomlin, he’ll simply pull you again a little bit bit. So I believe that stability is de facto good.”
With Wilson restricted, Fields has taken the majority of the first-team reps in group intervals and walkthroughs.
“I am simply making an attempt to reap the benefits of each rep that I get,” Fields stated. “I do know that if he wasn’t damage, 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 simply strategy each observe the identical, get higher each day and simply construct that chemistry.”
Fields has been spectacular in his reference to Pickens and huge receiver Van Jefferson and challenged the Steelers’ protection together with his working potential.
“I believe he simply involves compete each day,” Tomlin stated of Fields. “He is received an superior aggressive spirit. We received a aggressive atmosphere, and it looks as if 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 huge receiver Brandon Aiyuk, sources informed ESPN.
Requested in regards to the potential of including any extra gamers to the huge receiver room, Tomlin did not supply any perception.
“I will allow you to guys speculate on that,” he stated with a smile.
Tomlin was additionally requested throughout a radio interview if he had any early calls Wednesday morning.
“It is a little bit early on the west facet,” he stated.
