Who's In, Who's Out for Steelers vs. Bills?

After a 20-12 loss in the preseason opener to the Houston Texans, the Pittsburgh Steelers will attempt to bounce back against the Buffalo Bills and gain some additional clarity along the way.

Nowhere is that more necessary than under center, where Pittsburgh’s quarterback competition rages on. Russell Wilson’s calf injury held him out of several training camp practices and last week’s exhibition. In his place, Justin Fields was fine , but two fumbled snaps stunted some of the momentum he’s generated toward the starting job.

As expected, it will be Wilson playing with the ones on Saturday. How long can fans expect to watch him?

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed that the plan for starters would be to play four drives, an uptick from the opener, where Fields & Co. had three attempts before returning to the bench.

“We have a mindset of playing roughly four this time around, but that’s subject to change based on what it is we see,” Tomlin said, via the team’s website . “If they’re highly effective and productive and we get good quality work, we might move on from them to get more of an exposure to the other guys, and so that’s a template in which we work. It’s not etched in stone.”

According to Steelers Depot , Pittsburgh will be without the following:

• Running back Jonathan Ward
• Receiver Roman Wilson
• Offensive tackle Troy Fautanu
• Center Nate Herbig
• Defensive tackle DeMarvin Leal
• Edge rusher Alex Highsmith
• Linebacker Cole Holcomb
• Cornerback Donte Jackson

Several veteran defensive players sat out in Week 1, so getting a look at a more complete first-team defense should add intrigue while fans wait to see which quarterback comes out for the ensuing drive.

Related: Steelers Reveal QB Russell Wilson Plan vs. Buffalo

Escaping healthy will be the priority, but the first-team offense looking in-sync and effective would be a nice dose of confidence ahead of the final dress rehearsal.