LATROBE, Pa. — Russell Wilson won’t play in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first preseason game on Friday as he recovers from a calf injury. However, the veteran quarterback has maintained the edge over Justin Fields in what coach Mike Tomlin is still calling a competition.

On Wednesday morning, Tomlin underscored all of these points during his news conference to preview the Steelers’ first preseason game on Friday against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium.

Tomlin put the “pole position” label on Wilson but promised competition, when the Steelers acquired both quarterbacks this offseason. That dynamic was complicated unexpectedly when Wilson injured his calf while pushing a sled during the team’s conditioning test on July 24.

The injury limited Wilson’s participation significantly in team periods last week. On Tuesday, he took a step forward when he took part more fully in 11-on-11 periods, including the popular Seven Shots segment to open practice. However, as of Wednesday morning, Wilson had thrown just a handful of passes in 11-on-11 settings.

Because of Wilson’s limitations, Fields has taken the overwhelming majority of first-team reps in camp. Asked if Wilson still has “pole position,” Tomlin referred to the depth chart the team released on Tuesday, which listed Wilson as QB1.

“You guys saw the depth chart that I released yesterday,” Tomlin said. “That is real.”

At the same time, Tomlin is at least publicly saying there is still a chance for that depth chart to change ahead of the Week 1 opener on Sept. 8 and the preseason game will be an opportunity for Fields to make up ground.

“It very much is a competition,” Tomlin said. “What happens in stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in a practice setting, because it’s more game-like.”

Tomlin confirmed that Fields is scheduled to start with the first-team offense on Friday. Tomlin anticipates that group will get a few series of action.

“(Fields) comes to compete every day,” Tomlin said. “He’s got an awesome competitive spirit. We’ve got a competitive environment, and its seems like he’s enjoying it. He’s doing a good job acclimating himself to it and his teammates and letting his talent show.”

In addition to Wilson, several other prominent Steelers are not scheduled to play on Friday. Tomlin said he will hold out established veterans like left guard Isaac Seumalo, defensive lineman Cameron Heyward and edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Inside linebacker Patrick Queen and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick are dealing with minor injuries and also will not play.