Russell Wilson injury update: Mike Tomlin reveals Steelers QB’s expected status for Sunday vs. Raiders

Russell Wilson will likely be active for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ trip to Las Vegas to play the Raiders on Sunday, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.

“Mike Tomlin says Russell Wilson had a good week and likely will be active as the second quarterback this weekend in Vegas,” Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette communicated. “He’s also optimistic about Jaylen Warren’s availability.”

Evidently, Justin Fields will be the starting quarterback for the Steelers, at least in Week 6. Fields led the team to three straight wins, but that was followed by two straight losses in their most recent games. With Wilson now returning to practice this week and trending to be active, many were wondering what the future of the quarterback position looks like in Pittsburgh.

Earlier this week, ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter provided some insight into the situation, and how the Steelers might handle the Fields and Wilson dynamic moving forward.

“I would say that Russell Wilson is lurking,” Schefter said on Thursday. “Now Justin Fields is preparing to start and Mike Tomlin has really not crowned him as the full-time starter. And I think the feeling always has been as long as Justin Fields is playing well and they’re winning games, it’s hard to take him off field. But the Steelers now have lost two straight games.”

Alas, the Pittsburgh offense has struggled this season, particularly in the passing game where Fields has not excelled, pass catchers have failed to make plays, and the offensive line has struggled in protection. Potentially leaving room for the veteran to step in and shake things up for the Steelers’ offense.

“So what if they were to lose to the Raiders on Sunday? What if there were some struggles in this particular case?” Schefter asked. “Well, Russell Wilson is now practicing, practicing in full, yesterday was his first full practice since the season kicked off. So he’s ready to go and Mike Tomlin is leaving the door ajar, in his words, for Russell Wilson to be active on Sunday.

“Well now what that means is he would be the backup quarterback, but he is within an arms length of Justin Fields. And again, I think if Justin Fields is winning and he’s producing, no issues. But when they don’t win, it becomes a question.”

As you can tell, Russell Wilson is readying for his opportunity, while Justin Fields might be playing for his job each week. We’ll see if the young quarterback can fend off the veteran in Las Vegas and beyond.

On3’s Kaiden Smith contributed to this article.