The Steelers appear to be following through on their Russell Wilson starting plan.
Pittsburgh offensive lineman Dan Moore Jr. confirmed Wednesday that the nine-time Pro Bowler was taking “first-team reps” at Steelers practice, per ESPN, one day after head coach Mike Tomlin said Wilson was “in consideration” for the starting job.
NFL Network reported Tuesday Wilson was “in line” to start Sunday night against the Jets.
Wilson, 35, missed the first five weeks of the season with a calf injury but was active as Justin Fields’ backup in Week 6 against the Raiders.
Tomlin remained noncommittal Wednesday about who was going to be behind center when the Steelers (4-2) take the field Sunday.
“I’m not going to get into the details of how we distribute the reps and things of that nature,” Tomlin said. “It doesn’t benefit us. Both guys were full participants today, and I liked it. I liked their participation … Any decisions made at this point are in-house.”
The latest rumblings add another chapter to the Wilson-Fields quarterback saga in Pittsburgh during the 2024 season.
After the pair were acquired by the Steelers within a week of each other in March, Tomlin had referred to Wilson as the starter throughout the preseason until he suffered the calf injury just before their season opener.
Fields has been solid for the Steelers through six games, throwing for 1,106 yards with five touchdowns and just one interception with 231 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Behind Fields, the Steelers are tied with the Ravens for first place in the AFC North.
But the Steelers’ offense has been middling, mustering just 298.3 yards per game (seventh-fewest in the league) and 20.7 points per game (13th-fewest).