Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields will start against the Houston Texans in Friday's preseason contest, and the first-team offense will get "a couple series," according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Veteran Russell Wilson (calf) is dealing with a calf injury and won't suit up, so this is a perfect opportunity for Fields to show what he can do after a mostly disappointing three-year career with the Chicago Bears. The former first-round pick out of Ohio State flashed as a runner with Chicago, but his 60.3% completion percentage and 40 passing touchdowns to 30 interceptions in 40 career games left a lot to be desired. Wilson is still likely to start in Week 1 of the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons, but Fields could be promoted to the QB1 job by midseason if Wilson continues to regress.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) returned to a full practice at training camp on Tuesday after being sidelined with a minor calf injury for over a week. With Wilson sidelined the last week-plus, backup Justin Fields had plenty of opportunities to impress the coaching staff while working with the first-team offense. Fields was up and down for the most part, although Wilson's injury has opened the door for this to become more of a QB competition than it was earlier this offseason. Wilson and Fields alternated reps on Tuesday and figure to both play in the preseason opener this Friday against the Houston Texans. Wilson may still be in "pole" position for the starting gig in Pittsburgh to open the 2024 regular season, but Fields could easily flip the script if he outplays the 35-year-old veteran throughout the preseason.

Quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) entered training camp in "pole position," and it appeared that the starting job would be his to lose in his first year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his calf injury has led to Justin Fields taking nearly all of the first-team repetitions. Fields struggled early on but has since looked better. Wilson is still likely in the lead for the starting job in Week 1, but if Fields can make routine and splash plays consistently, ESPN's Brooke Pryor thinks he might make this more of a competition that it initially appeared to be. Wilson is the safe option for Pittsburgh because of his experience and leadership qualities, but the aging signal-caller didn't look very good the last two years in Denver and has a low fantasy ceiling at this point. While Fields has been much too inconsistent early in his career, he undoubtedly has more big-play ability than Wilson, especially with his legs.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (ankle) is no longer in a walking boot after being carted off the field nearly a week ago. Even better, he isn't favoring his ankle while walking. The rookie was taken in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft after finishing his final collegiate season by amassing 789 yards and 12 touchdowns off 48 receptions. Hopefully, he'll be back on the field soon. While the injury could delay Wilson's progression, he has a chance to eventually overtake others on the depth chart and emerge as one of the team's top wideouts, giving him long-term appeal for dynasty participants.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) is still in a competitive battle with Justin Fields for the starting job. While the team waits for Wilson's return, Fields has made a strong impression during practice. This situation could disrupt the Steelers' initial plans, as they acquired Wilson to bring stability and experience to their quarterback position. Coach Mike Tomlin has repeatedly stated that Wilson is in "pole position" to secure the starting role. Despite Wilson's less athletic profile than Fields, he is expected to showcase his superiority and reaffirm his status as the preferred starter once he's back. For fantasy managers, Wilson's potential to win the job could positively impact the Steelers' skill players, as he has a proven track record as a facilitator. With Wilson at the helm, expect a significant boost for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, who would likely see increased rushing attempts and dump-off opportunities. Wilson's presence would also benefit George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, and rookie Roman Wilson in the passing game.