Russell Wilson ramps up at Steelers practice; Justin Fields focused on Cowboys, not QB1 status

Slowly but surely, Rusell Wilson’s participation level is increasing at Pittsburgh Steelers practice.

The man who maintains the “QB1” designation on the team’s official depth chart told reporters Thursday that this week he has been taking part in 11-on-11, seven-on-seven and other team drills as well as generally overall “getting more plays.”

“We’re definitely ramping it up,” Wilson said after practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “It’s been good.”

Not good enough, though, for an official change in status as reflected on the league-mandated injury report. Wison remains classified as a limited participant because of his lingering calf injury, and, therefore, Justin Fields is expected to make his fifth consecutive start when the Steelers host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.

Still, Wilson said he felt “really confident” during practice Thursday, and the arrow seems to be pointing up in regards to when he will be cleared to make his regular-season Steelers debut.

“Just meeting with the doctors and doing different stuff like that,” the 35-year-old Wilson said. “But I feel strong, I feel confident. I love the process that we’ve been in, just in terms of just making sure that I’m fully ready and ready to go. I’ve got an extra day (Friday), and we’ve still got Saturday and everything else. So that’s my mindset as we get ready for Sunday.”

Wilson largely dodged a question about if he could serve as the No. 2 to Fields in a game. For the Steelers’ first four games, Wilson was dressed as the “emergency” No. 3 behind veteran Kyle Allen.

Coach Mike Tomlin has evaded making any declarations for his plans at quarterback once Wilson returns to health. Wilson aggravated his calf injury four weeks ago Thursday. It initially was tweaked on reporting day for training camp at Saint Vincent on July 24. It was almost three weeks before he practiced fully after that.

Meanwhile, Fields — another offseason acquisition and former multi-year starter in the NFL — has had arguably the best four-game stretch of his career. Fields has accounted for six touchdowns (three rushing, three passing), compiled a 98.0 passer rating and completed 70.6% pf his passes as the Steelers have won three of their first four games.

Fields said Thursday he doesn’t feel any extra pressure to perform this week now that Wilson is getting closer to gaining the medical clearance necessary to re-claim the starting job.

“I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing,” Fields said, “and whatever decision (Tomlin) makes, he makes. I can only control what I do in the field, but now I’m just going to go out there and keep doing what I’m doing.”