LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said quarterback Russell Wilson won't play Friday against Houston in the first preseason game and that it very much remains a competition at quarterback even though Wilson remains in the top spot.
Tomlin said what will happen against the Texans will be weighted heavier than practices. Considering Wilson won't play, it's an opportunity for Justin Fields to gain ground on the veteran. He noted that Wilson is listed as first-team on the depth chart, so they still think of Wilson as the starting quarterback right now. He also said he's not concerned with Wilson missing camp reps, at least as through the first two weeks.
Fields will get a couple of series in the preseason opener with much of the first team to show what he can do in a game setting, only guard Isaac Seumalo has been ruled out as a veteran getting the first game off. Fields has had most of the 11-on-11 first-team reps and Wilson only Tuesday participated in '7 shots' for the first time and threw passes 11-on-11 for the first time.
As for what Tomlin said about Fields.
"I think he comes to compete every day," Tomlin said. "He's got an awesome competitive spirit. We got a competitive environment and it seems like he's enjoying it. He's doing a really good job of acclimating himself to it and his teammates and letting his talents show."
Tomlin said Fields has had a process of focusing on his footwork, body-balance and posture that he's been working on all offseason and Tomlin said they are seeing his hard work pay off.
It's still a competition, but Fields has an opportunity to continue to gain on it.
