Mike Tomlin expects Russell Wilson to be available for Steelers' preseason game vs. Bills

After missing Friday night’s preseason game against the Houston Texans, Russell Wilson might not have to wait much longer to take the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers. According to Mike Tomlin, the expectation is he’ll be ready to go next week against the Buffalo Bills.

Wilson has been dealing with a calf injury as training camp got underway, and Justin Fields got reps with the starters and started against Houston as a result. However, when asked if he expects Wilson to be able to go next week, Tomlin was definitive.

“I do,” he said.

Fields made his unofficial Steelers debut Friday night in the loss to the Texans. He went 5 for 6 passing for 67 yards, but was sacked twice and had two fumbled snap exchanges with the center. His reps with the starters add intrigue to what Tomlin described as a competition with Wilson as Arthur Smith puts together his first offense in Pittsburgh.

Wilson appeared to be in “pole position” to be the Steelers’ starting quarterback after signing with Pittsburgh earlier in the offseason and was listed as the starter on the initial depth chart. But his absence during training camp allowed Fields to get more work with the 1s, and the sense is the former Chicago Bears quarterback has been taking coaching well ahead of the preseason opener.

As for the impact it has on the competition with Wilson, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport recently said Wilson’s chances of being the starter might not be as cut-and-dry as they once were. Of course, things can change as camp goes along.

“It has been an impressive couple of weeks for Justin Fields,” Rapoport said. “And it is obvious, Russell Wilson came into this camp in the pole position. It feels to me, just to me, that (the competition) is a little more open than maybe it was a couple weeks ago.”

Tomlin also added to the discussion about Wilson’s chances of opening the season as the starter. He pointed out the game atmosphere is going to play a role in his decision-making ahead of the season opener next month.

“It very much is a competition,” Tomlin told reporters Wednesday morning. “What happens in-stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in a practice setting because it’s more game-like.”

Wilson will likely have a chance to make his case for the starting job next week against Buffalo. That game is set for Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. ET.