Russell Wilson Expected to Make Steelers Preseason Debut vs. Bills, Mike Tomlin Says

Russell Wilson's first start for the Pittsburgh Steelers is expected to come in their second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.

Speaking to reporters after Friday's loss to the Houston Texans, head coach Mike Tomlin said "I do" when asked if he anticipates Wilson playing on Aug. 17.

Since Wilson didn't play on Friday night, it was an opportunity for Justin Fields to make a case that he should be the starter when the regular season begins. It wasn't a great audition despite finishing 5-of-6 for 67 yards through the air.

The main issues that plagued Fields during his time with the Chicago Bears showed up against the Texans. He took two sacks on third downs and wasn't on the same page with center Nate Herbig because there were two fumbled snap exchanges.

Herbig said after the game that the snap issues were on him.

The sacks remain the primary concern for Fields. He's been sacked an NFL-high 135 times since 2021, despite playing only 40 out of a possible 51 games.

Things won't necessarily be better with Wilson because he ranks second on that list having been sacked 133 times in 44 games, but he also has 3,033 more passing yards and 27 more passing touchdowns than Fields since the start of the 2021 season.

Tomlin consistently said throughout the offseason that Wilson was the frontrunner to be the Week 1 starter. The team's initial depth chart had Wilson listed as QB1, ahead of Fields and Kyle Allen.

Since teams will typically use their second preseason game as a tune up for the regular season, Wilson getting the start against Buffalo would further indicate he will be under center in Week 1.

The Steelers will host the Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. ET.