Russell Wilson, Justin Fields lead Steelers’ TD drives in loss to Lions in preseason finale
DETROIT — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin still isn't ready to say who his starting quarterback will be when the season begins.
Russell Wilson and Justin Fields led touchdown drives for the Steelers, who lost 24-17 to the Detroit Lions on Saturday in the preseason finale for both teams.
Jermar Jefferson rushed for two touchdowns for the Lions, including a go-ahead, 7-yard run in the fourth quarter.
“It didn’t start pretty, but we finished strong,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said.
Tomlin has said repeatedly Wilson is in the “pole position” for the starting job, and the 35-year-old veteran didn't do anything in Detroit that would suggest he won't take the first snap when the season kicks off in two weeks. But Tomlin wouldn't budge.
“We’ll make a decision at the end of our work week,” he said.
Wilson completed both of his pass attempts, including a 32-yard toss to George Pickens. Two plays later, Cordarrelle Patterson scored on a 31-yard, high-stepping run to cap the game-opening possession.
Wilson spent the rest of the game on the sideline while Fields was given three drives to show what he could do. His performance was uneven.
Fields converted a third down with a run and threw a 22-yard pass to MyCole Pruitt on consecutive plays, setting up La’Mical Perine's 1-yard touchdown run.
In the previous two preseason games, neither Wilson nor Fields led Pittsburgh to a touchdown.
“We’ve had a really great training camp and OTAs, and we finally put it on the field,” Wilson said.
Fields' second possession ended when he was looking to the right in the shotgun formation as the ball was snapped. He recovered the fumble but was sacked. His third possession ended when he took another sack.
Fields finished 3 of 4 for 40 yards and ran twice for 4 yards.
The Steelers chose to start over at quarterback this season after Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky each got starts for a team that went 10-7 and lost to Buffalo in an AFC wild-card game.
Just days apart in March, Pittsburgh signed Wilson after he was released by Denver and acquired Fields in a trade with Chicago.
The defending NFC North champion Lions, meanwhile, didn't put quarterback Jared Goff or any other key players on the field in the hopes of keeping them healthy for a season with high expectations. After the game, Campbell said All-Pro offensive tackle Penei Sewell is “good” after he left a practice earlier in the week with a foot injury.
Hendon Hooker started at quarterback and after completing his first two passes, he was sacked on three straight snaps. He played extensively, giving him much-needed experience after he missed his rookie year with a knee injury.
“Ups and downs, but ultimately, he got better and he needed that,” Campbell said.
Hooker helped the Lions score touchdowns on their last two drives in the first half.
He had a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jake Funk, then made plays with his arms and legs to help set up Jefferson's first touchdown run.
Hooker was 12 of 20 for 114 yards with a touchdown and threw an interception to former Detroit defensive back Cam Sutton, who got some work in before serving his eight-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
The Steelers open their season at Atlanta on Sept. 8.
