Russell Wilson is set to be active as the No. 2 quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time this season, after a full week of practice leading up to their game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Wilson’s return, stating that while his health looks good, there’s still a matter of shaking off the rust from not playing for several weeks. Wilson, who has been recovering from a calf injury sustained on September 5, has been inactive for every game so far, serving only as the emergency third quarterback.
Despite being named the starter after training camp, Wilson’s injury kept him sidelined, limiting his participation in practices. However, this week marked a turning point. On Tuesday, Tomlin expressed optimism about Wilson’s progress, noting that the quarterback would have his first full participation in practice on Wednesday. The focus was to evaluate how Wilson handled a full session and the quality of his performance, which would determine his readiness to suit up as the backup to Justin Fields.
By Friday, Wilson had completed a full week of practice, and the Steelers officially removed him from the injury list for Sunday’s game. Tomlin praised Wilson for his effort during the week, emphasizing that while Wilson had proven his health, the challenge was now overcoming the rust from not playing in full 11-on-11 drills for an extended period. Tomlin remained confident in Wilson’s abilities but indicated the quarterback would continue working to regain his full game rhythm.
When asked about his expectations for the game against the Raiders, Wilson remained non-committal, focusing instead on preparing mentally and being ready for any role he may be called upon to fill. He acknowledged the importance of staying sharp and was confident in the work he had done during his time as a limited participant in practice, particularly in 7-on-7 drills. Wilson expressed confidence in his teammates and their preparation, downplaying concerns about any accumulated rust.
In addition to Wilson’s likely return, the Steelers could see another boost with running back Jaylen Warren, who has missed two games due to a knee injury. Tomlin initially doubted Warren’s availability for the Raiders game earlier in the week but revised his stance after Warren showed significant improvement in practice. Warren was a full participant in Friday’s practice and was listed as questionable for Sunday, with Tomlin noting his positive progress and upward trajectory heading into the game.
