Russell Wilson could be taking the first step toward seeing action in 2024.
The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to give Wilson first-team reps in practice this week, putting him in line to make his season debut and start Sunday night against the New York Jets, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per sources informed of the situation.
Wilson has been dealing with a calf injury that sidelined him before Week 1. He was active for the first time in Week 6 as the backup to Justin Fields.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Wilson and Fields will practice this week but didn't tip his hand.
"[Russell Wilson] is in consideration this week. We'll see where that leads us," he said.
Tomlin later added: “I’ll acknowledge that Russ proved his health last week, and we’re looking hard at him this week. It is up for consideration.”
Fields has started the first six games of the season, helping the Steelers to a 4-2 start but the offense has been inconsistent, particularly through the air. In the past two weeks, Fields has thrown for fewer than 150 yards and completed fewer than 60 percent of his passes. The dual-threat has done most of his damage with his legs, including two touchdowns in Sunday's win over Las Vegas.
“Justin has been really good, and we’ve been good at times, but not to be confused with great," Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday when asked why Fields had not done enough to be named starter despite a 4-2 record.
"This is a competitive league, man. We’re trying to position ourselves to be that team, and we’ve got a player with talent, who hadn't have an opportunity to play, so we’re going to explore those things. Sometimes it doesn’t have anything to do with what Justin has done or has not done. Justin has been an asset to us. Last week, for example, his ability to utilize his legs by design and by ad lib was a significant component of that game. He rushed for 50-plus yards and two touchdowns. … We’re appreciative of that. We’re appreciative of how he’s taken care of the ball. But we’re just looking at all of the people at our disposal. The same way we do at any position.”
The question for Tomlin is whether he believes losing the dynamic rushing element Fields provides might be worth it if Wilson can bring more to the passing attack. It's also possible the Steelers could utilize both QBs Sunday night against the Jets, something that Tomlin did not rule out on Tuesday.