Russell Wilson injury update: Mike Tomlin shares latest status of Steelers QB

Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that quarterback Russell Wilson will have “another strong work day” and his “participation is going to pick up some” this week in practice, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Justin Fields, however, remains in line to start the Week 5 home matchup against the Dallas Cowboys (2-2) on Sunday Night Football, according to Mark Kaboly of “The Pat McAfee Show.”

Tomlin initially named Wilson the starting quarterback ahead of the season opener. He aggravated his calf injury three days prior to Week 1, however, and has been a limited participant in practice over the last two weeks. 

Fields led the Steelers to a 3-0 record before stumbling against the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) in Week 4 this past Sunday. Fields completed 22-of-34 passes for 312 yards and a score but had a costly fumble midway through the third quarter. The Colts squeaked out with a 27-24 victory.

“Appreciate his fight, but he and we were a little bit sloppy at times,” Tomlin said of Fields’ performance. “Too sloppy to secure victory.”

Russell Wilson continuing to work his way back from calf injury

Adam Schefter of ESPN said Monday it would be a surprise if Fields wasn’t under center against the Cowboys.

“We heard last week Mike Tomlin come out and say that he wasn’t ready to proclaim Justin Fields yet as the No. 1 quarterback in Pittsburgh, but he certainly has played that way so far,” Schefter said. “Now this is a week, a Sunday night game against the Dallas Cowboys, in which Russell Wilson finally was expected to be over that calf injury and ready to play.

“So, if Russell Wilson is not playing on Sunday night, that would tell you that Justin Fields, for the time being, has wrestled away the starting quarterback job from Russell Wilson, who entered the season as the starter until he hurt that calf injury during training camp.”