PITTSBURGH — Justin Fields is expected to get a fourth consecutive start at quarterback Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts as Russell Wilson continues to be limited by his calf injury. Wilson hasn't been a full participant in practice since he aggravated his calf injury three weeks ago, and he is expected to be a limited participant in practice again on Wednesday.

"We're still very much in the same place with Russ this week as we were last week, at least at the beginning of the week," Tomlin said at his weekly news conference Tuesday afternoon. "As we walk into the building tomorrow, I want Justin singularly focused on starting for us and doing what's required to be ready to do that. We'll see where the week leads us. If the quality of [Wilson's] practice participation picks up, maybe we'll consider that later in the week. If it doesn't, then it won't be a consideration and we'll continue where we are right now."

Fields led the Steelers to victory in all three of his starts and is coming off his best game in a 20-10 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. He threw for 245 yards and a touchdown and also had a 5-yard touchdown run. It was the first time this season the Steelers scored two touchdowns in a game.

When asked why he won't name Fields as his starter, Tomlin responded: "Because there's no need. I explained to you the variables of the week. It has not changed. He's going to walk into the building tomorrow with that mindset. There's no need to. Sometimes in this business there is a myriad of complex decisions that need to be made. I've learned to make them when it's appropriate. It's not necessary as we sit here right now. When Russ gets to an appropriate point of health and we have a decision to make, I'll make it, and we'll announce it. And I'll be really transparent about it. But until then I don't care how many ways you guys ask me, I got no intentions of making a decision that's unnecessary at this juncture."

The Steelers will be without one starter and two reserves this week due to injuries. Starting outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is expected to miss 2-3 games after injuring his hamstring in the victory against the Chargers. Nick Herbig, who registered two sacks in the Chargers game, will get his first NFL start.

The Steelers also will be without reserve cornerback Cory Trice Jr. and reserve tight end MyCole Pruitt. Trice injured his hamstring in the Chargers game, and Pruitt is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in the Denver game in Week 2.

Tomlin said left guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) and running back Jaylen Warren (knee) are questionable to begin the week.

Starting running back Najee Harris, who had his right arm in a sling in the locker room on Monday, won't have any limitations this week.

"Naj will be ready to rock and roll," Tomlin said.

What he said

"He's a talented young guy. He's had a lot of success in college. No stage is too big for him. He's not a blinker. I like the finishing mentality in his play. All of our young guys have that finishing trait that's able to form the makeup or personality of the collective as they grow older." — Tomlin on rookie offensive lineman Mason McCormick.

Our take

Expect to see more of McCormick in Indianapolis if Seumalo is not ready to return to the lineup. The Steelers rotated McCormick and Spencer Anderson in the Chargers game. The Steelers selected McCormick in the fourth round of the draft as the replacement for James Daniels, who is expected to leave in free agency after the season. Could McCormick be in the starting lineup Sunday? It's not out of the question. In the meantime, there is a commitment from the coaches to get the rookies onto the field together because they represent the future of the Steelers' offensive line.

Up next

The Steelers play at 1 p.m. ET Sunday against the Colts in Indianapolis. This is the third consecutive year the Steelers have played the Colts in Indianapolis. The Steelers lead the all-time series, 27-7, but the Colts won the most recent meeting last December, 30-13. That was the Colts' first win against the Steelers since 2008 and broke an eight-game losing streak in the series. The Colts enter the game with a 1-2 record after beating the Bears on Sunday.

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