Mike Tomlin announces Justin Fields will start at quarterback against Texans

Justin Fields will get the start at quarterback when the Steelers kick off their preseason schedule against the Texans this Friday.

For Steelers fans, it’ll be the first chance to see Fields at Acrisure Stadium dressed in a Pittsburgh uniform. But the official introduction of Russell Wilson will have to wait. While coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Fields will start, the coach said Wilson will not dress for the game.

Both quarterbacks are new to the Steelers. Tomlin said Wilson still is No. 1 on the “unofficial” depth chart. But Wilson strained a calf muscle the day before training camp started in Latrobe, Pa. He tweaked the calf while pushing a blocking shed as part of a conditioning drill. Wilson could do some individual drills, but he is only now taking some reps with the first team.

Fields has set off a buzz with his training camp performance. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is incorporating Fields’ running ability into the offense and Fields is showing off his legs.

“It very much is a competition,” Tomlin told reporters Wednesday morning. “What happens in-stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in a practice setting because it’s more game-like.”