In a preseason game against the Houston Texans, Justin Fields had a prime opportunity to make a strong case for becoming the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his performance was marred by fumbles, leaving the door wide open for Russell Wilson's return.

Since the beginning of training camp, Fields had been given the chance to play with the first-team offense while Wilson was recovering from a calf injury. With this opportunity, Fields had a clear path to stake his claim as the team's starting quarterback.

Unfortunately, Fields faltered in the three opening drives he was given, fumbling the ball on the first two. While he managed to recover the fumbles, the mistakes disrupted the flow of the game and overshadowed any positive aspects of his performance.

During the post-game press conference, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged Fields' potential but expressed disappointment in the fumbles, which he attributed to a breakdown in the center-quarterback exchange. Tomlin emphasized his aversion to fumbles, as they can severely impact offensive drives.

The Steelers' overall performance was described as "sloppy," with additional self-inflicted mistakes such as a muffed punt, a bad snap on a field goal attempt, and two other fumbles. Tomlin emphasized the importance of avoiding such errors, particularly in the early stages of the game when teams are still developing cohesion.

While Fields' fumbles did not automatically hand the starting quarterback job to Wilson, it did hinder his chances of taking control of the competition. When Wilson returns to full practice, Fields is expected to be relegated to the backup role, needing to catch up in order to have a chance at securing the starting position.

However, it is worth noting that Fields did have moments of success during the game. He completed five out of six passes and led three drives that resulted in five first downs. Despite the lack of points, Fields acknowledged the team's need to address the fumbling issue and improve their overall performance.

Russell Wilson, who has been gradually recovering from his calf injury, made progress by participating in 11-on-11 drills. His return to full health appears on track, and there is no indication of any setbacks. Wilson even dressed out for the game against the Texans, although he didn't play. Coach Tomlin confirmed that Wilson is expected to start the next preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.

In conclusion, Justin Fields missed a golden opportunity to solidify his claim as the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback. His fumbles during the game opened the door for Russell Wilson to reclaim the position. With Wilson's imminent return to full practice, Fields will have to battle from behind and make up ground if he hopes to secure the coveted starting role.