Russell Wilson may not be QB1, but he will be QB2 for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
After Friday’s practice, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Wilson, who was not listed as injured Sunday, is expected to be Pittsburgh’s No. 2 quarterback in Las Vegas, behind starter Justin Fields and ahead of Kyle Allen. He said he is doing so. Wilson was the emergency third quarterback for Pittsburgh’s first five games.
Wilson’s expected promotion capped off a successful week for the veteran quarterback. He participated fully in practice for the first time since aggravating his calf injury in Week 1.
“It’s the same thing I’ve seen here,” Tomlin said of Wilson’s week, via 93.7 The Fan. “I thought he had a good week with his health and ability to protect himself. It’s just a process of getting used to the ball again.”
Fields will start again this week, but given Wilson’s increased practice status, it’s fair to wonder if his time as the Steelers’ starting quarterback is over any time soon. At least for now, Fields’ chance to convince Tomlin that he should remain the team’s QB1 is running out.
Fields is coming off perhaps his most memorable performance in Sunday night’s 20-17 loss to Dallas. However, Fields completed a season-low 55.65 percent of his attempts, but orchestrated a scoring drive late in the game that ended with a touchdown pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth to give Pittsburgh the lead. But the Steelers’ defense gave the Cowboys the winning run after Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott hit wideout Jalen Tolbert in the end zone with a four-run homer in the final minute. I forgave you.
Although Sunday night wasn’t his best performance, Fields’ overall work this season has been solid. He was mostly accurate, mostly handled the ball, and gave the offense an extra dimension with his running ability.
Although Fields has been strong, the overall lack of success from Pittsburgh’s offense (the team currently ranks 26th in the NFL in scoring) has been a major reason for the team’s second straight loss. It also opened the door for Wilson to take over as QB1 if he is deemed healthy enough.
Sunday’s game will be an important one for the Steelers. The Steelers are currently tied with Baltimore for first place in the AFC North. This game is also important because it could be Fields’ last chance to show what he can do as the Steelers’ starting quarterback.
