Steelers Will Start Justin Fields in Week 5 Despite Russell Wilson Nearing Return

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to start Justin Fields at quarterback for the fifth straight week against the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. The Steelers are planning for Russell Wilson to ramp up his participation in practice as he continues to come back from a calf injury.

Wilson was initially slated to start for the Steelers this season, but his injury gave way for Fields to start. Through the first four games of the season, Fields has led the Steelers to a 3-1 record, and a 3-0 start. The Steelers defeated the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers before losing to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4.

The Steelers’ strong start under Fields has led some to believe that he should become the full-time starter, but Tomlin is not ready to call Fields the lead starter for the season.

“There’s a potential for that, but we’re not there, as I stand here today,” Tomlin said, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.

“It potentially could, but it has not to this point,” Tomlin said. “The guiding factor for us at this point is the amount of ball that we have in front of us, how early we are in this process. That’s probably been one of the significant variables in terms of our approach to his rehabilitation.”

Through four games, Fields has completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 830 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He has also rushed for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Fields’ stats are by no means otherwordly, but he has helped the offense complement the defense and lead the team to a winning start.

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Fields has come through when needed for his team over the last two weeks. Against the Chargers in Week 3, he led the Steelers down the field for a field goal and later connected with Calvin Austin III on a 55-yard touchdown pass. Versus the Colts on Sunday, Fields rushed for two touchdowns and threw another in the second half. The Steelers were unable to pull off the comeback but came within three points of Indianapolis after trailing by 17 early in the game.

Tomlin has kept the door open for Wilson to take over as the starter, but right now, Fields has the team and momentum. He is expected to maintain his role as a starter against the Cowboys on Sunday, but his long-term role remains in question for the rest of the season.

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