While the Jets are expected to have a new face in WR Davante Adams on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he won’t be the only player making his team debut.
The Steelers are planning to start veteran QB Russell Wilson for the first time this year now that he is fully healthy, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Although, QB Justin Fields, who has led Pittsburgh to a 4-2 record, is also expected to see the field in some capacity during the Week 7 matchup. Wilson will still likely play the majority of the snaps.
The 35-year-old Wilson has been inactive for all six games of the 2024 NFL season as he was recovering from a calf injury. He took first-team reps during practice this week, but head coach Mike Tomlin did not commit to naming Wilson the starter over Fields when speaking with media during the week.
Fields has completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards with five touchdowns and one interception, in addition to 55 carries for 231 yards and five TDs on the ground. Despite being tied for the AFC North lead with the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh is ranked 28th in passing yards and 26th in total offense. Tomlin and the Steelers are thinking Wilson can give the passing game a much-needed boost.
It’ll be quite the test for the one-time Super Bowl winning QB, as the Jets defense is ranked second in total yards allowed per game (273.0 yards) and second in passing yards allowed (148.8 yards).
Wilson is 3-1 in his career against the Jets, but lost last season while with the Denver Broncos, throwing for just 196 yards and two touchdowns. Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich hopes to make that two straight losses for Wilson against NY and get his first NFL win.