Quarterback Justin Fields will make his third consecutive start today against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Steelers home opener.
While Fields is set to play, fellow quarterback Russell Wilson will be the third quarterback today, still dealing with the calf injury that has hampered him since the start of training camp.
Wilson was upbeat talking about his progress, seeing improvement in himself as time passes.
"I'm definitely gaining ground," said Wilson. "I feel good. I was able to do more work, so getting better every day.
"We're just trying to be smart. I'm listening to the doctors, and we're all working together just to make sure that I'm ready to go fully and can get back out there soon."
Wilson said the key for him is to follow the path the doctors and athletic trainers have for him and to continue to do whatever work he is able to do.
"I'm doing everything I can, physically every day, every morning, every night just to make sure that I can be ready to go, and we'll know when I'm ready, and I'm getting close," said Wilson. "We have a whole plan. We're following the plan. I don't want to get into details of the plan, but we're following that."
Tight end MyCole Pruitt was held out of practice all week and is also inactive with a knee injury. With Pruitt dealing with the knee injury, the Steelers elevated tight end Rodney Williams from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
And Williams is hoping his number is called on Sunday.
"You always have to be extremely prepared," said Williams. "You have to always be prepared because you never know. Guys might get sick on the day of the game, and they call you up. Just taking every mental rep I can and making sure if my number is called, I'm ready.
"It's a chance for me to prove myself and continue to prove that I belong in this league and make a name for myself."
Williams said the preseason has been helpful for him the last few years, providing him the opportunity to get involved in the passing game.
"The preseason helps a lot, especially for guys like me," said Williams. "In my role, it's where we get the most reps, get the ball the most. I take those preseason games very seriously because they kind of help me prepare for this moment here."
On Saturday, the Steelers placed No. 1 pick Troy Fautanu on the Reserve/Injured List. With Fautanu out, it will be Broderick Jones who gets the start at right tackle today.
The Steelers elevated offensive lineman John Leglue and cornerback James Pierre from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for the game and both will be active.
Leglue returned to the Steelers practice squad this year after spending the 2023 season with the Atlanta Falcons. Leglue was first signed to the Steelers practice squad in 2020, spending two seasons with the team and appearing in six games in 2021.
He entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent, signing with the Denver Broncos following the 2019 NFL Draft. He was released by the Broncos following the 2019 training camp and was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad. The Green Bay Packers signed Leglue off the Saints practice squad in 2019. He also spent time with the Tennessee Titans.
Pierre was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft out of Florida Atlantic. He has played in 66 career games, with six starts in three seasons. He has recorded 59 tackles, including 52 solo stops, eight passes defensed, two interceptions and a forced fumble. He also has 35 special teams tackles.
Receiver Roman Wilson was hoping this was the week he finally gets on the field, but that is being delayed as he is also inactive. Wilson has missed most of training camp, the preseason and regular season to date dealing with an ankle injury.
"Every day I come in this building and do what I can to get ready for the game," said Wilson. "I just come in here and practice hard and do what I have to do one day at a time.
"Every day I come in here I feel like I get a little bit better. That's all I can focus on, having a good attitude, just getting better every day.
"Definitely, I want to play. I just want to play. God has a plan for me, and I've got to let it take its course. Whatever it is, I hope it's a good one."
For the Chargers, quarterback Justin Herbert is active.
The full list of inactives is below.
Steelers Inactives
No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (3rd QB)
No. 10 WR Roman Wilson
No. 21 CB Darius Rush
No. 38 FS Terrell Edmunds
No. 73 OG Isaac Seumalo
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt
Chargers Inactives
No. 5 WR Josh Palmer
No. 25 LB Junior Colson
No. 29 CB Tarheeb Still
No. 30 RB Kimani Vidal
No. 71 OL Jordan McFadden
No. 92 DL Justin Eboigbe
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