Steelers HC Mike Tomlin sets the stage for QB Russell Wilson to make his debut vs. Bills

The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up a joint practice against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, getting a good look at the squad ahead of their primetime fixture .

Stopping by the podium after practice, Coach Tomlin noted how good it was to have the Bills as a: "Dance partner," in terms of agreeing to practice together.

But it was what he said about the Steelers set to play that made headlines:

Russell Wilson Set to Make Steelers Debut

"All of those that are healthy will participate in the game [against Bills], Mike Tomlin said on Thursday. "That's our mentality. The sand's starting to run through the hourglass in terms of us divvying ourselves up and carving out a role for ourselves in this thing. And so, these in-stadium opportunities are limited and weighted differently. And as we go into our second stadium and our last one here in Pittsburgh, we just think it's appropriate that we have an all-in type mentality...

"...Russ [QB Russell Wilson] is scheduled to participate if he has no setbacks. Man, it's been a good week. He's been a full participant. He's had a couple of really good days. With each passing day, it's less of an issue. And so we look forward to him participating in this home venue."

Not that it should come as a surprise to anyone given his long-standing pole position and 1st place setting on the team's depth chart, but Coach Tomlin confirmed that Russell will see the first team reps against the Bills, saying: "He'll start" when asked in what capacity Wilson would play.

"Our mindset regarding the first-team or the first-wave of terror, if you will, last week they played about two series, roughly," added Tomlin. Offensively and defensively. "We have a mindset of playing roughly four [series] this time around, but that's subject to change based on what it is that we see. If they're highly effective and productive, and we get good quality work, we might move on from them to get more exposure to the other guys. And so, that's a template in which we work. It's not etched in stone. We had a two-series mentality last time out this time out we kind of got a four-series mentality."

Coach Tomlin added that how much QB Justin Fields plays after Russell Wilson is also: "Not etched in stone."