Russell Wilson, Justin Fields lead TD drives for Steelers in 24-17 loss to Lions in preseason finale

DETROIT (AP) — 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 that 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.

UP NEXT

Detroit opens the season at home on Sept. 8 with a Sunday night matchup against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, nearly eight months after the Lions beat the Rams for their first playoff win in 32 years.

The Steelers open their season at Atlanta on Sept. 8.

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Cordarrelle Patterson rushes for a 31-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end MyCole Pruitt (81) is tackled by Detroit Lions safety C.J. Moore (38) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back La'Mical Perine runs into the endzone for a 1-yard rushing touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff walks the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Giovanni Manu reacts after a teammate's touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell on the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) rushes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson looks downfield during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

LANGLEY, British Columbia (AP) — Stephen Peat, the former Washington Capitals enforcer who fought concussion issues and was homeless at times after leaving hockey, has died from injuries sustained late last month when he was struck by a car while crossing a street. He was 44.

“The NHL Alumni Association is heartbroken to learn that Stephen Peat has passed away from his injuries after a tragic accident just over two weeks ago,” the NHL Alumni Association said in a statement Thursday announcing the death Thursday.

Without identifying Peat at the time of the Aug. 30 accident, Langley police said a 44-year-old pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries when he was struck while crossing a road at about 4:15 a.m.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Peat had eight goals, two assists and 234 penalty minutes in 130 NHL games. He was drafted 32nd overall by Anaheim in 1998, then traded to Washington in June 2000 after finishing his junior career.

In 2004-05, he played seven games for the notorious Danbury Trashers in the United Hockey League, assisting on a goal and piling up 45 penalty minutes. He last played professional hockey in the 2006-07 season, appearing in one game for Albany in the American Hockey League.

FILE - Washington Capitals' Stephen Peat, facing camera, punches Pittsburgh Penguins' Krzysztof Oliwa of Poland as linesman Dan McCourt attempts to break it up during the first period in Pittsburgh, Dec. 21, 2001.(AP Photo/Gary Tramontina, File)

FILE - Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jay McKee (74) tries to avoid a stick-check by Washington Capitals right-winger Stephen Peat (51) as he skates up ice during the first period at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2005. (AP Photo/Don Heupel, File)