Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Expects QB Russell Wilson to Play vs. Bills

The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a series of unforced errors in Friday night's preseason-opening 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium.

Quarterback Justin Field got the nod under center while Russell Wilson continues to nurse an injured calf suffered earlier this offseason, and has his good moments and his bad moments.

But with the next preseason matchup for the Steelers coming next Saturday against the Buffalo Bills, coach Mike Tomlin expects Wilson to be ready and available to play.

In the post-game press conference on Friday night, Tomlin was asked if he thinks Wilson will be ready to play against the Bills.

"I do," Tomlin replied.

Fields and Kyle Allen split time against the Texans, and Fields finished the night after three series and going 5-for-6 for 67 yards. Notably, he also had a pair of fumbles on botched quarterback-center exchanges with center Nick Herbig.

Allen finished the game 17-of-23 for 193 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The pair combined for three sacks for 25 yards that Tomlin would like to have cleaned up too as he indicated after the game.

Wilson has been given the "pole position" in the race for the starting job per coach Mike Tomlin, but Fields has been vocal this season about wanting the starting job under center.

Tomlin placed Wilson above Fields on the team's first depth chart prior to Friday's game with Houston.

“You guys saw the depth chart that I released yesterday — that is real,” Tomlin said . “What happens in stadium is weighted heavier than a practice setting because it’s more game-like.”

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Fields has improved dramatically since arriving in Pittsburgh via trade from Chicago, per Tomlin.

“I think he just comes to compete every day,” Tomlin continued. “He’s got an awesome competitive spirit. We’ve 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.

“I think everything is an audition,” Tomlin said. “Everything that we do is an audition, not only for him but for others.”

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