Steelers Rumors: Russell Wilson Could Return from Injury amid Justin Fields QB Battle

As Justin Fields continues to impress while working with the first team at Pittsburgh Steelers camp, Russell Wilson may be back soon to compete for the starting quarterback job.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Sunday there is "optimism" Wilson will be cleared to return to practice during the upcoming week. He has been sidelined with a calf injury, which cleared the way for Fields to see more time with the presumed starters.

While it would have been easy to assume Wilson will be the starter in Pittsburgh given his resume as a nine-time Pro Bowler who won a Super Bowl during his time with the Seattle Seahawks, that may not be the case any longer.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported Saturday that "Fields definitely has work to do to catch Wilson in the race for the starting job, but the Steelers are open-minded about his ability to do so."

He also pointed out that both contenders are signed through just the upcoming campaign, which may improve Fields' chances.

"The important thing to keep in mind here is that the Steelers have no prior connection to either of these quarterbacks and no compelling financial commitment that would lead them to favor one over the other," Graziano wrote. "So when they say it's an open competition and Fields has a chance, believe them."

Fields is 25 years old compared to the 35-year-old Wilson. If either of them is going to be the quarterback in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future, it will likely be Fields based on that difference alone.

Wilson being sidelined has also allowed the Ohio State product more opportunity to work with the starters and further cement himself in the race for the QB 1 position.

That means the veteran Wilson may need to impress at times during the preseason schedule if he is going to be the surefire starter. It is likely too much to ask for him to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Houston Texans given the time he has missed, but he'd still have opportunities against the Buffalo Bills (Aug. 17) and Detroit Lions (Aug. 24).

Ultimately, Pittsburgh needs him to return so it can fully evaluate both quarterbacks heading into the season.