Latrobe, Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is ahead of Justin Fields for the starting quarterback job despite being limited by a calf injury during the first half of training camp, coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday.
The Steelers released their first depth chart on Tuesday night, listing Wilson as the starter and Fields as the secondary.
“You saw the depth chart I posted yesterday,” Tomlin said. “It’s real.”
However, Wilson will not participate in Friday’s preseason game against the Houston Texans. Tomlin said Fields and the first-team offense will play in “a couple series,” and this will be another opportunity for Fields to get the ball rolling on Wilson.
“I think everything is an audition,” Tomlin said. “Everything we do is an audition, not just for him, but for others.”
In addition to Wilson, DJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Alex Highsmith, Isaac Ciumalo, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Quinn will not participate in Friday night’s game, Tomlin said, citing both senior status and minor training camp injuries.
Although Wilson continues to hold the No. 1 spot despite a calf injury, Tomlin said he still sees it as a contest.
“Quite a match,” Tomlin said. “Walking in a stadium carries more weight than walking in a practice.”
Tomlin also said he was not concerned about Wilson’s lack of first-team representation.
Wilson has been a spectator for most of the team’s time through the first 10 practices of training camp, but he stepped up his participation Tuesday, taking four reps in the team’s “seven shots” drill, passing the ball three times and throwing a touchdown pass to George. Pickens. He completed another pass to Pickens in an 11-for-11 period.
With Wilson limited, Fields has taken the bulk of the first-team reps in team sessions and training sessions.
“I try to take advantage of every rep I get,” Fields said. “If he hadn’t gotten hurt, I know I wouldn’t be in this position. So it’s just opportunities for me. I try to make the most of it, to be honest with you, but I try to approach every practice the same, get better every day and build that chemistry.”
Fields was impressive in his connections with Pickens and wide receiver Von Jefferson and challenged the Steelers’ defense with his running ability.
“I think he comes to compete every day,” Tomlin said of Fields. “He has an amazing competitive spirit. We have a competitive environment and he seems to enjoy it. He’s doing a really good job of acclimating himself to it and his teammates and showing off his talent.”
The Steelers have been in contact with the San Francisco 49ers as a potential trade partner for wide receiver Brandon Iuk, sources told ESPN.
When asked about the possibility of adding more players in the wide receiver room, Tomlin offered no insight.
“I’ll let you guess that,” he said with a smile.
Tomlin was asked during a radio interview if he had any calls Wednesday morning.
“A little early on the west side.
