Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said indicated Tuesday that erstwhile starting quarterback Russell Wilson’s practice participation was going to ramp up beginning Wednesday.
If that was the case, it was not enough so to warrant a change in status for Wilson on the injury report.
As he had for the 11 prior practices over the previous four weeks, Wilson remained listed as a limited participant for Wednesday’s workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Wilson has been dealing with a calf injury.
Tomlin said the Steelers are planning for Justin Fields to make a fifth consecutive start to open the season, and Wilson’s official status does little to change that plan.
The Steelers (3-1) practice twice more before declaring statuses for Sunday’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys. Wilson is expected to serve as the No. 3 “emergency” quarterback for that game, as he has all season.
Herbig, 4 others sit out
Three days after missing a portion of Sunday’s loss at the Indianapolis Colts because of an ankle injury, outside linebacker Nick Herbig did not practice. Herbig, however, was back in before Sunday’s game ended, and it is expected he will play against the Cowboys.
The same cannot be said for four others who did not practice Wednesday: running backs Jaylen Warren (knee) and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle), outside linebacker Alex Highsmith and tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee).
Pruitt has missed the past two games, and neither Warren nor Highsmith played in Indianapolis. Patterson left the game because of injury in the first half.
Herbig has subbed into the starting lineup for Highsmith.
Defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (ankle) was a limited participant Wednesday.
Starting left guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) and outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon (ankle) were full participants. Each has yet to play this season. Moon was given the green light to practice Wednesday but remains on injured reserve.