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Brooke Breyer, ESPN Writer
LATROBE, Pa. — Despite suffering a calf injury during the first half of training camp, quarterback Russell Wilson is overtaking Justin Fields as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday.
The Steelers released their first depth chart Tuesday night, listing Wilson as the starter and Fields as the second.
“You saw the depth chart I posted yesterday, it’s real,” Tomlin said.
However, Wilson will not participate in Friday’s preseason game against the Houston Texans. Tomlin said Fields and the offensive line will play “a series of games,” and that will be another opportunity for Fields to gain ground on Wilson.
“I think everything is a test,” Tomlin said. “Everything we do is a test, not just for him but for everyone else.”
In addition to Wilson, TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Alex Highsmith, Isaac Simalo, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Quinn will not participate in Friday night’s game, Tomlin said, citing their veteran status and minor injuries in training camp.
While Wilson has continued to hold the top spot at the position despite his leg injury, Tomlin said he still views it as competition.
“It’s a competition in every sense of the word, and what happens in the stadium matters more than what happens in practice,” Tomlin said.
Tomlin also said he’s not concerned about Wilson’s lack of first-team reps.
Wilson was a bystander for most of the team’s first 10 practices of training camp, but he stepped up his game Tuesday, completing four reps of the team’s “seven-shot” drill, passing the ball three times and throwing one touchdown pass to George Pickens. He completed another pass to Pickens during an 11-on-11 period.
With Wilson limited, Fields has taken on the bulk of first-team reps in squad and training sessions.
“I try to take advantage of every rep I get,” Fields said. “I know if he wasn’t injured, I wouldn’t be in this situation. So it’s just opportunities for me. I try to take full advantage of them, to be honest with you, but I just try to approach every workout the same, get better every day and build that consistency.”
Fields was impressive in his connection with Pickens and wide receiver Van Jefferson and challenged the Steelers’ defense with his running ability.
“I think he comes to compete every day,” Tomlin said of Fields. “He has a great competitive spirit. We have a competitive environment, and he seems to enjoy it. He does a really good job of adapting to the environment and his teammates and letting his talent shine.”
The Steelers have also reached out to the San Francisco 49ers as a potential trade partner for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, sources tell ESPN.
When asked about the possibility of adding any additional players to the wide receiver room, Tomlin offered no insight.
“I’ll leave you to guess that,” he said with a smile.
Tomlin was also asked during a radio interview if he had any early calls Wednesday morning.
“It’s a little early on the west side,” he said.
