Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is set to return to practice as a full participant on Wednesday, as he continues to recover from a calf injury that has sidelined him for much of the season. Wilson’s return raises significant questions about who will start under center this Sunday when the Steelers face off against the Las Vegas Raiders.
While Wilson has been recovering, Justin Fields has taken over the starting quarterback role and has led the Steelers to a respectable 3–2 start. With Wilson rejoining practice, Fields will continue to take first-team reps during Wednesday’s session, while Wilson will begin taking second-team reps.
The Steelers’ coaching staff, led by head coach Mike Tomlin, faces a critical decision in determining whether to stick with the hot hand in Fields or turn to the veteran Wilson, who has yet to make his debut for the team this season.
Tomlin, known for keeping his cards close to his chest, didn’t offer a definitive answer when asked about the quarterback situation during a press conference on Tuesday. However, he hinted that the decision would hinge on how Wilson progresses in practice throughout the week.
“Until Russ gets to a point where we’re comfortable with what we’re looking at … we’re going to continue to push forward with Justin until those things are legitimate and then we’ll make those decisions,” Tomlin said. His comments suggest that Fields will remain the starter for now, but that could change if Wilson shows he’s back to full health.
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Tomlin emphasized that he wants to ensure Wilson is 100% before considering him for the starting job. The coach made it clear that rushing Wilson back into action before he’s ready could be detrimental to both the team and the player’s long-term health.
Depending on how practices go this week, it’s possible that Wilson could make his Steelers debut this Sunday against the Raiders. If Wilson isn’t deemed ready, Fields will continue to lead the team’s offense.
The situation presents an intriguing dilemma for Tomlin and the Steelers. Fields, while not perfect, has shown flashes of potential and helped guide the team to a winning record in Wilson’s absence. However, the organization brought in Wilson for a reason, signing the seasoned quarterback to provide leadership and stability.
Now, with Wilson nearing full health, the coaching staff must weigh the benefits of inserting him back into the lineup against the momentum Fields has built with the team.
Before the Steelers’ recent Sunday night loss to the Dallas Cowboys, it seemed like the team had been happy with Fields’ performance. While the Cowboys game exposed some weaknesses, particularly in the offense, Tomlin has not indicated any significant dissatisfaction with Fields’ play.
Ultimately, Tomlin’s decision will come down to how Wilson looks in practice and whether the coaching staff believes he’s ready to reclaim his spot.
If Wilson proves he’s fully recovered and ready to go, Tomlin could hand him the reins and give him the opportunity to make his Steelers debut this weekend.
On the other hand, if Fields continues to show promise in practice and the coaching staff feels more confident with him under center, they may decide to stick with the young quarterback for the time being.
For now, Steelers fans will have to wait and see how the quarterback competition unfolds in the days leading up to the Raiders game.
Both Wilson and Fields have something to prove, and whichever quarterback ultimately starts on Sunday will have the chance to solidify their role in the Steelers’ offense moving forward.
