Russell Wilson to Start Steelers 2nd Preseason Game

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson will start and make his first in-game appearance with the Black and Gold in the team’s second preseason game of 2024 against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday.

Wilson was held out of the preseason opener against the Houston Texans, as he had yet to return to practicing fully after a suffering a minor calf injury on the first day of training camp.

Now, as long as he has no setbacks, he’s expected to be in the starting lineup against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night.

“He’s had a couple really good days,” head coach Mike Tomlin said. “With each passing day [his injury] is less of an issue. So we look forward to him participating in this home venue.”

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Wilson and the rest of the starters are expected to play “roughly” four series, or twice as much as the first team played last Friday night. Tomlin said that he goes into a game with a plan and then reacts to how things go, and they could end up playing less or more.

Tomlin didn’t rule any players out of Saturday’s game. Four players — center Nate Herbig (upper body), wide receiver Roman Wilson (left ankle sprain), tackle Troy Fautanu (left MCL sprain) and running back Jonathan Ward (hamstring) — were held out of practice with injuries on Thursday. He said they will give all players a chance to participate, and won’t make a decision on availability until the “11th hour.”

“We’re not setting anyone aside to minimize their reps or to look at other,” Tomlin said. “All of those that are healthy will participate in the game. That’s our mentality. The sand’s starting to run through the hourglass in terms of divvying ourselves up and carving out a role for ourselves in this thing. So these in-stadium opportunities are limited and weighted differently. So for our second stadium and our last one here in Pittsburgh, we just think it’s appropriate that we have an all-in type mentality.”

Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin) and cornerback Donte Jackson (undisclosed) were limited in practice for the Steelers on Thursday. T.J. Watt was given the day off.

Second-round draft pick Zach Frazier replaced Herbig in the starting lineup. Nick Herbig and Jeremiah Moon worked with the first team at outside linebacker. Cory Trice Jr. replaced Jackson.

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