Russell Wilson’s Participation Will ‘Pick Up’ Amid Injury Rehab, per Steelers’ Tomlin

Doric SamOctober 1, 2024

Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

It sounds like Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is progressing in a positive direction as he continues to recover from a calf injury.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that Wilson’s “participation is going to pick up some” and he’s expected to have “another strong work day” on Tuesday as the team prepares to face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Wilson was expected to be the Steelers’ starter before a lingering calf injury flared up toward the end of training camp. In his absence, Justin Fields has guided Pittsburgh to a 3-1 start to the season. Tomlin was asked if he’d stick with Fields as the starting quarterback even after Wilson gets healthy, and he said that decision has not yet been made.

“There’s a potential for that, but we’re not there as we stand here today,” Tomlin told reporters.

Fields has proven to be capable of being a dependable starter. In the Steelers’ 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, the 25-year-old went 22-of-34 for 312 yards and a touchdown while also adding a team-high 55 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground.

Despite Fields’ hot start this year, Tomlin has not ruled out the possibility of Wilson taking over under center at some point this year. He explained his thought process last week leading up to the game against the Colts.

“Sometimes in this business, man, there’s a myriad of complex decisions that need to be made,” he said, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “I’ve learned to make them when it’s appropriate and it’s not necessary as we sit here right now, when Russ gets to an appropriate point of health and we have a decision to make, I’ll make it and I’ll announce it and I’ll be really transparent about it, but until then, I don’t care how many ways you guys ask me, I got no intentions of making the decision that’s unnecessary at this juncture.”

It seems unlikely that Wilson will replace Fields in Week 5 against the Cowboys, but based on his comments, it wouldn’t be surprising if Tomlin makes the switch at some point this season.