Russell Wilson closer to returning to practice for Steelers as Mike Tomlin preps Justin Fields to start again

Russell Wilson’s health, perhaps more than Justin Fields’ play, is an overriding factor on which quarterback Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will start as the NFL season navigates into its fifth week.

That philosophy could change provided Fields keeps playing the way he has in the first month of season.

“There is a potential for that,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “But we’re not there as I stand here today.”

Fields has led the Steelers to a 3-1 record in place of Wilson, and he is on track to make a fifth consecutive start Sunday when the Steelers play the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium.

It led to questions Tuesday about whether Fields’ production makes Wilson’s health — he continues to recover from a calf injury — less significant in determining the future of the quarterback position. Wilson has made incremental progress but could see his practice reps increase this week.

“The guiding factor at this point is the amount of ball that we have in front of us,” Tomlin said, “how early we are in the process. That has been one of the significant variables in terms of our approach to (Wilson’s) rehabilitation.”

Wilson is on the verge of being a full practice participant for the first time since he aggravated his calf injury the week before the season opener in Atlanta. The 35-year-old quarterback has been limited in practice in recent weeks, although he progressed to throwing passes in 7-on-7 situations last week.

Wilson has served as the emergency No. 3 quarterback the first four weeks, with Kyle Allen getting the No. 2 spot.

“It seems like he’s at a place where his participation is going to pick up some in terms of practice setting — a live pocket, if you will,” Tomlin said. “We won’t draw too many conclusions, but we’ll start that process and we’ll comb through that day by day. We’ll evaluate his ability to move and function and protect himself and evaluate his level of productivity.”

Tomlin was asked what Fields can do to keep a grasp on the starting job.

“Just play well, win,” Tomlin said. “That’s our business.”

Fields has completed 70.6% of his passes for 830 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in guiding the Steelers to a 3-1 start. He completed 22 of 34 attempts for 312 yards and one touchdown for a season-high 104 passer rating in the Steelers’ 27-24 loss Sunday at Indianapolis.

Fields also had a team-high 55 yards rushing and scored on a pair of runs while trying to lead the Steelers back from 17-0 and 24-10 deficits.

“I didn’t feel any blink in Justin,” Tomlin said. “We’ve talked about his steady demeanor in terms of the things I’ve grown to know and understand about him. It’s really on display in moments like that.”

Fields is the more mobile quarterback and is second on the Steelers with 145 rushing yards. That commodity could be valuable playing behind an offensive line that has suffered multiple injuries since training camp.

The Steelers finished the game at Indianapolis with two rookies and a second-year seventh-round draft pick manning the interior of the line. Tomlin may be reluctant to expose Wilson, who has turned into more of a pocket passer in the latter stages of his career, to further injury playing behind such an inexperienced line.

“It depends on what the work week looks like,” Tomlin said. “It depends on what we’re forecasting in terms of pressure from Dallas.”

The Cowboys will be without defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who was placed on injured reserve, and potentially star pass rusher Micah Parsons.

“Those are variables that could weigh into that,” Tomlin said.