Steelers HC Mike Tomlin dampens preseason expectations by announcing who will play vs. Texans

All the talk surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers may revolve around Brandon Aiyuk and a potential trade , but the team has some bigger fish to fry right now.

Well, maybe not because it is only preseason, but the games still matter for a majority of the roster.

And when addressing the media at his pregame presser on Wednesday, Mike Tomlin noted who will be in and who will be out on Friday:

Tomlin Announces Preseason Game 1 Plans

"I have about seven guys that I'm scheduled not to utilize in this game. Isaac [Seumalo] in the offensive line, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith along the defensive front.We'll get those guys ready to play," said Tomlin. "Those guys are veteran guys. They know what they're doing. I don't have any intentions of playing them in this game...

"...But equally as important, it’s just going to provide additional opportunity for others that I know less about, and maybe need more runway from a preparation standpoint. And so, we're going togo with that group in terms of watching. There's been some guys that have dealt with minor training camp injuries and things of that nature that's limited them some. They won't participate as well. Talking about some established guys: Russ Wilson, Minkah [Fitzpatrick], Patrick Queen – those seven guys I don't have any intentions of utilizing in the game...

"...Everybody else, I'm going to have an inclusive mentality about some of the guys are dealing with minor training camp injuries and so forth that limit them in some way. I’m going toleave the light on for everyone else. I'm hopeful that everyone else will have an opportunity to participate."

Now if you notice in that quote, nothing of Justin Fields, George Pickens, and Joey Porter Jr. was mentioned, meaning that while it may be limited exposure, fans will still get to see some of there favorite players, and that doesn't even include the duo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.

Mike Tomlin also added, that while Russell Wilson still has his pole position , which was confirmed by the team's initial depth chart release, Justin Fields still has an opportunity to win the starting job, and that starts in the preseason.

"You know, I'm probably going to give that ‘first unit,’ and him [Justin Fields] included in that, a couple of series. And I think he just comes to compete every day. 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 talent show," said Tomlin.

"Very much is a competition," answered Tomlin when asked if the QB battle still exists. "What happens in a stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in a practice setting, because it's more game-like...

"...I think everything is an audition. Everything that we do is an audition, not only for him, [Fields] but for others."

So with the Texans also slated to play their starters, fans will receive at least an appetizer of regular season football on Friday night.

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