Russell Wilson to Play in Steelers Preseason Finale amid QB Battle with Justin Fields

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback battle between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields is still ongoing, and the veteran plans on taking advantage of his final preseason opportunity by taking the field on Saturday against the Detroit Lions.

"We're playing," Wilson said Wednesday, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "Yeah, we're all playing. I'm excited to get back on the field. Last week was great to be out there for the first time, putting more pads on and everything else. And obviously we didn't get the win and everything else, but I think the big thing for us is just executing and us making our plays and doing our thing."

Wilson missed time earlier in training camp because of a calf injury. He also didn't play in the preseason opener against the Houston Texans.

Even if there wasn't an ongoing quarterback battle, it would make sense to want more game action as he becomes accustomed to a new team. And playing against the Lions means he will have the opportunity to bounce back from a poor showing against the Buffalo Bills.

Pittsburgh did not score a single point in the five series Wilson was on the field, although he at least didn't reaggravate his calf injury.

"I felt great out there," he said. "Honestly, I felt strong. I wasn't thinking about it. Anytime you have an injury, sometimes if you're worried about it, you're in the back of your mind. You're thinking about it. Didn't feel that at all really the past week or so."

Fields didn't have much more success when it came to scoring points in the 9-3 loss to Buffalo. The 25-year-old at least brings more mobility than Wilson and ran for 42 yards to go with his 11-for-17 for 92 yards passing line.

Wilson started against Buffalo, which would seemingly indicate he is ahead of Fields in the competition. He is also the more accomplished of the two with a resume that includes nine Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl title from his time with the Seattle Seahawks.

Still, Wilson was not the same version of himself that was so successful in Seattle during the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos. He went 11-19 as a starter and is something of a question mark as he begins his time with the Steelers.

As for Fields, he showed flashes of his potential and was an electrifying playmaker with his legs during his time with the Chicago Bears, but he never lived up to the expectations as a franchise quarterback for a team that moved on to Caleb Williams this offseason.

Neither has separated himself during game action in the preseason.

"You know, still not what we're looking for," head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters after the loss to Buffalo. "It was better in some areas but still JV in too many others."

Saturday will be another opportunity for both.