Justin Fields will get the first start of the preseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Head coach Mike Tomlin announced on Wednesday that Fields will start as Russell Wilson sits out Friday's preseason tussle with the Houston Texans.
Tomlin noted that Fields will play a few series with the starters.
"I'm probably gonna give that 'first unit' -- and him included in that -- a couple of series," he said.
The Steelers plan to sit several veteran players who don't need the reps and others dealing with nicks and bruises. Wilson, T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Isaac Seumalo, Alex Highsmith, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Queen won't play Friday, per Tomlin.
Wilson has missed most of training camp while dealing with a calf injury. While he's returned in recent sessions, the issue has opened the door for Fields.
"I just think he comes to compete every day," Tomlin said of Fields. "He's got an awesome, competitive spirit. We've got a competitive environment, and it seems like he's enjoying it. He's doing a really great job of acclimating to it and his teammates and letting his talents show."
Fields' start on Friday gives him another chance in live action to impress the staff. Tomlin added that "everything is an audition" for every player and that it's an ongoing battle for the starting quarterback spot.
"Very much is a competition," he said. "What happens in stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in a practice setting because it's more game-like."
Fields getting those "couple" series on Friday could help tilt a competition that had leaned heavily in Wilson's favor heading into training camp. The jaw-dropping flashes from the 25-year-old through three seasons are more likely to come in a live setting than practices.
However, when asked if Wilson remains in the pole position for the starting gig, Tomlin was unequivocal.
"You guys saw the depth chart that I released yesterday. That is real," the coach said of the unofficial depth chart released Tuesday that has Wilson as QB1.
Despite Wilson missing valuable reps in a new scheme, the competition continues to tilt toward the veteran. Fields will get the first preseason game to prove to the coaching staff that they should reconsider the order.
Wilson spoke to reporters after practice and said that it's been good to return to the field, and his preference would be to play in the preseason.
"I feel great," Wilson said, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "To be fully in there with the team drills, it feels great."
As for the lingering rumors about a possible Steelers trade for San Francisco star receiver Brandon Aiyuk, Tomlin wouldn't bite when asked if the club is considering adding to the WR depth chart.
"I'll let you guys speculate on that," he responded.
