Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is considering starting Russell Wilson at quarterback on Sunday night but his primary concern is the New York Jets, who are a dangerous opponent with a new coach, a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, and Rodgers’ favorite target from his Green Bay days, wide receiver Davante Adams, whom the Jets acquired yesterday in a trade with the Raiders.
At his weekly media conference yesterday, Tomlin acknowledged the fight ahead.
Justin Fields has guided the Steelers to a 4-2 record and has played well, but Tomlin says the Steelers have a potential game-changer in Wilson, who is finally ready to play after struggling with a calf injury since the first day of training camp.
Tomlin is by no means unhappy with Fields, but he wants to take a long look at Wilson at quarterback, too.
Tomlin will wait as long as he can before naming a starter for this week, paying special attention in practice to whether or not Wilson is rusty after not having played for so long.
Tomlin and Rodgers have long been admirers of each other, and the coach has plenty of respect for the Packers legend who is now leading the Jets.
The coach says Adams is a great receiver, but his landing with the Jets doesn’t change much.
Tomlin also took the time yesterday to applaud the Steelers fans who turned out in Las Vegas, making it seem like a home game.
On the Steelers’ injury front, center Zach Frazier is out for Sunday with an ankle injury and Ryan McCollum will start. Frazier is “week-to-week”, but is not headed for injured reserve.
Tomlin said he’s “really optimistic” that edge rusher Alex Highsmith will be able to return from his groin injury but backup Nick Herbig is out again with his hamstring injury. All-purpose runner/receiver Cordarelle Patterson could return this week, along with safety Damontae Kazee and tight end MyCole Pruitt.
NFL
There were two other big trades in the NFL yesterday. The Bills acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Browns for a couple of draft choices and the Vikings got running back Cam Akers and a draft pick from the Texans for a draft choice.
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