Steelers Expect Russell Wilson Return on Tuesday

UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers appear close to getting Russell Wilson back on the practice field.

The veteran quarterback, who started training camp first on the depth chart, hasn’t played a single snap of practice so far after injured his calf while pushing a sled during the team’s camp-opening run test on Wednesday.

Through four practices, he’s done some individual drills and some walk-throughs and even snuck out at night for a little throw-the-ball-around session. 

After practice on Sunday, head coach Mike Tomlin said that he expects Wilson to take team reps for the first time this camp when the team returns from an off day on Tuesday.

“Wilson worked partially today, we and expect him to get going a bit as we come off this off-day,” Tomlin said. He later clarified that he expects him to participate in team periods.

With Wilson out, Justin Fields has taken all of the team’s first-team reps, and even some with the second-team, as the Steelers have flipped him and Kyle Allen for the vast majority of the team practices so far. Rookie John Rhys Plumlee has also worked in for limited reps.

Wilson said he would have been practicing all along if it had been up to him, and that Tomlin and the team’s training staff have just been being overly cautious.

Tomlin admitted as much, and said that the fact that Wilson is new to the team means that he’s a little bit less likely to take his word for it that he’s good to go, especially at this un-critical juncture of the season.

“I’m pursuing with extreme caution because we’re afforded that at this time of year, and particularly because I’m just getting to know him,” Tomlin said. “So, when you don’t have a background or relationship with somebody, when you’re in my position, it’s just prudent when given an opportunity to kind of be a little bit cautious to make sure a small problem doesn’t become a big one.”

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson signs an autograph during training camp on July 25, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

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