Russell Wilson's return to practice adds intrigue to Steelers' quarterback position

For the first time since aggravating a calf injury before the season opener, Russell Wilson is scheduled to be a full practice participant for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The result of that work could determine what role the 35-year-old quarterback plays this weekend when the Steelers face the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.

Justin Fields will prepare to make his sixth consecutive start in place of Wilson, who has served as the emergency quarterback in each of the first five games. Coach Mike Tomlin, though, didn’t rule out Wilson moving up the depth chart this week.

Wilson will take snaps with the second-team offense in practice this week.

“We’ll see if he’s able to pull it off and get through the session,” Tomlin said. “If he does, what is the quality of that work look like — his ability to protect himself, some of the conversations that we’ve been having?”

Kyle Allen has served as Fields’ backup in light of Wilson’s injury. That could change this week.

“The fact that (Wilson) is a full participant is a door that is ajar,” Tomlin said. “To say any more than that is to speculate.”

Tomlin will continue to “push forward” with Fields as the starter. With Fields at quarterback, the Steelers won their first three games but will take a two-game losing streak into the matchup with the Raiders, who have quarterback issues of their own.

“Until Russ gets to the point where we are comfortable with what we are looking at, and he’s able to execute all the schematics and be able to put together back-to-back days, I think it’s a hypothetical conversation,” Tomlin said.

Raiders starting QB Gardner Minshew was benched during Sunday’s 34-18 loss to the Broncos in favor of Aidan O’Connell, and coach Antonio Pierce said Monday he is still evaluating the position.

Help wanted

The Steelers will be without three outside linebackers when they face the Raiders. Tomlin has ruled out Alex Highsmith, who will miss his third consecutive game with an ankle injury. He’ll be joined by DeMarvin Leal, who left the game Sunday night with a neck injury, and Nick Herbig, who exited with a hamstring injury.

The attrition leaves T.J. Watt and Jeremiah Moon as the only healthy outside linebackers on the 53-man roster. Moon is coming off a stint on injured reserve and made his Steelers debut Sunday night when he played 28 snaps and had one tackle.

The Steelers have two outside linebackers on the practice squad who have NFL experience in Ade Ogundeji and Eko Leota. Ogundeji previously played for the Atlanta Falcons and Leota was with the Carolina Panthers. Jacoby Windmon, who recently rejoined the Steelers practice squad is another option.

“Maybe one or two of those guys will get an opportunity to elevate and be a component of our plans this week,” Tomlin said, “and so that’s exciting.”

Defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk can play outside linebacker in a pinch, much like Leal did after Highsmith was injured.

Other injuries

Running back/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson also will miss the game with an ankle injury.

Listed as doubtful are tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee), running back Jaylen Warren (knee) and safety Damontae Kazee (ankle). Kazee is new to the injury report. He hurt his ankle in pregame warmups, and Tomlin said the ankle swelled after the game.