Steelers' Russell Wilson Expected to Play Bills Preseason Game Barring Injury Setback

Russell Wilson is scheduled to make his Pittsburgh Steelers debut in Saturday's preseason action against the Buffalo Bills "if he doesn't have a setback," head coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday (h/t ESPN's Brooke Pryor.)

Wilson suffered a calf injury while pushing a sled during a conditioning test on July 24, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic.

The veteran quarterback returned to practice in a limited capacity on July 30, and was a full participant in the week leading up to the contest against the Bills.

Justin Fields started the Steelers' preseason opener, a 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans on Aug. 9.

Fields, who is currently listed as the second-string quarterback to Wilson, is expected to play "significantly more" than Wilson on Saturday, Rich Walsh reported for KDKA News.

Tomlin told reporters on Thursday that Wilson is coming off of a "good week" at practice (h/t Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan.)

"He's been a full participant, he's had a couple really good days," Tomlin said. "With each passing day, it's less of an issue."

Tomlin said that Wilson and the rest of the Steelers' starters will be expected to play about four drives, per NBC Sports' Myles Simmons.

During the Steelers' last preseason contest, Fields went 5-of-6 for 67 yards while playing three series. The former Chicago Bears quarterback also fumbled two snap exchanges with center Nate Herbig and was sacked twice on third downs.

Tomlin said after the loss that the fumbles "negated a lot of good things going on in those first couple of drives," per Pryor.

The Steelers head coach said last week that there was still a "competition" between the two quarterbacks, and that preseason action would matter more than performance in training camp.

"What happens in stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in a practice setting, because it's more game-like," Tomlin said before the preseason opener week, per The Athletic's Mike DeFabo.

Wilson has indicated he wants to see preseason action, and the Steelers are likely just as eager to give the veteran quarterback an opportunity to work with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in a game setting.

The former Seattle Seahawk and Denver Bronco was already listed as QB1 in the first unofficial depth chart released by the team prior to the preseason. Wilson will now have the chance to cement that role with a strong preseason debut in Pittsburgh.