The Cowboys and Steelers meet in a game between two teams at an early season crossroads

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Justin Fields has done just about everything right while filling in for Russell Wilson.

He's largely avoided mistakes. He's evolved from game manager to difference-maker. And he's done it with an inherent calm that's quickly won over his teammates.

It's gotten to the point that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has propped open the door for Fields to keep the starting quarterback job on a full-time basis even after the calf injury that's sidelined Wilson for a month is fully healed.

Asked if there's anything Fields can do to further sway him, Tomlin smiled.

“Play well," the NFL's longest-tenured coach said. “Win.”

Another chance for Fields to make his case awaits on Sunday night when the Steelers (3-1) host the Dallas Cowboys (2-2).

The game will be a litmus test for both clubs. The Cowboys are hoping to prove they're more the team that steamrolled Cleveland in Week 1 than the one that was outclassed in losses to New Orleans and Baltimore. Pittsburgh is smarting after the NFL's top-ranked defense was pushed around early by Indianapolis in a 27-24 setback last Sunday that slowed some of the early season optimism surrounding its best start since 2020.

While Dallas will likely be without star linebacker Micah Parsons — who is expected to miss the first game of his career because of an injury after a high ankle sprain sustained against the New York Giants on Sept. 26 — the Cowboys believe they have more than enough depth to get by.

“It is a great opportunity for others,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said. “We’re excited about it. We took a step in New York, had a chance to catch our breath. Obviously, injuries are part of it. You never want to lose any of your guys, especially top guys. This is a great opportunity to show the quality of our football team.”

The same for Pittsburgh in a matchup between two teams that know a little something about playing under the lights. Dallas' 106 victories in primetime are the most in NFL history. Pittsburgh is second at 98.

“When you look at two teams everybody goes for back in the day, it's always Cowboys and Steelers,” Pittsburgh linebacker Patrick Queen said. “'Sunday Night Football,' everybody watching, the moments everybody lives for. So you've got the whole world watching, what are you going to do about it.”

McCarthy is a Pittsburgh native who grew up in the heyday of the Steel Curtain Steelers, four-time champions in the 1970s. Two of those Super Bowl victories came against the Cowboys.

He was a sports fan, too, so he remembers Pittsburgh Pirates icons Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, who won two World Series in the ’70s. And Heisman Trophy-winning running back Tony Dorsett, who led the University of Pittsburgh to the 1976 national championship.

“Those were great years," McCarthy said. "Four Super Bowls, two World Series and a national championship. It was a great time to be a kid in Pittsburgh.”

McCarthy visited Pittsburgh twice as Green Bay’s coach. He lost both times, though he did lead the Packers over his hometown team in the 2010 Super Bowl. And yes, he's heard about it when he visits.

“I think one of the best compliments I could receive is when I do run into even strangers back there, they tell me, ‘If we were going to lose one, I’m glad it was to you,'” McCarthy said. "I think that speaks to being from (there). We’re a fraternity.”

The Steelers are dedicated to running the football, even though they’re not particularly efficient at it at the moment. Pittsburgh’s 138 rushing attempts are tied for tops in the NFL. Yet the Steelers are averaging just 3.7 yards per carry, only good for 26th in the 32-team league.

Tomlin downplayed his team’s sluggishness, attributing it to playing three of four on the road to start the season. He expects things to get going eventually.

“It’s not going to dictate a behavioral change from us as a collective in terms of how we prepare,” Tomlin said. “It’s reasonable to expect us to get better with more exposure and opportunity in that area.”

The running game could receive a bit of a boost with veteran guard Isaac Seumalo expected to return after missing a month with a pectoral injury.

There’s no indication the Cowboys will add Dalvin Cook to the 53-man roster despite having the worst rushing offense in the NFL. Rico Dowdle appears to be the primary back after getting 18 carries to just nine for Ezekiel Elliott over the past two games.

The Cowboys signed Cook to the practice squad just before the season started. The New York Jets used Cook sparingly in 2023 before a late-season release, and the four-time Pro Bowler played in the first of two playoff games for Baltimore after the Ravens signed him.

In a truly “only the Cowboys” moment, Jerry Jones’ helicopter landed on the practice field close to the start of Wednesday’s workout, delivering the Dallas owner for about 20 minutes of viewing before he went to his office.

Asked if he had ever had a helicopter land during practice in his 30-plus years as an NFL coach, McCarthy said, “Let’s be honest, he was almost late for practice. I thought I was going to have to get on his (rear end). I was glad he made it.”

The helicopter moment came on defensive end K.J. Henry’s first full workday for the Cowboys after being signed off Cincinnati’s practice squad.

“Is this like an everyday thing?’’ Henry said he asked one of his new teammates. “I mean, this is real Dallas-like.’’

AP Pro Football Writer Schuyler Dixon in Dallas contributed to this report.

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) after making a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) carries the ball with Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick defending during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) runs for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) sits on the bench alongside teammates in the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes against the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) is chased out of the pocket by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Chris Lammons (35) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Three former Memphis officers were convicted Thursday of charges of witness tampering in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, and two were acquitted of federal civil rights violations in a death that sparked national protests and calls for broad changes in policing.

Jurors deliberated for about six hours before coming back with a mixed verdict for Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith guilty of witness tampering.

All of them were convicted of at least one charge, but Bean and Smith were acquitted of civil rights charges. Haley was acquitted of violating Nichols’ civil rights causing death, but convicted of the lesser charge of violating his civil right causing bodily injury.

Five officers were charged in Nichols’ death, but two pleaded guilty and testified against members of their old crime suppression unit, eliminating any defense strategy that would have relied on them sticking together. Jurors repeatedly watched graphic clips from police video that showed the officers punch and kick Nichols and hit him with a police baton just steps from his home, as the 29-year-old called out for his mother.

The witness tampering charges carry possible sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

Prosecutors argued that Nichols was beaten for running from a traffic stop, saying it was part of a common police practice referred to in officer slang a “street tax” or a run tax.” They said the officers lied — to a supervisor, to medical professionals attending to Nichols and in required written reports — about the extent of the force they used.

Nichols, who was Black, ran from the traffic stop despite being hit with pepper spray and a Taser. The five officers, who were fired after the beating, also are Black.

Some of the most emotional testimony at trial came from one of the officers, Desmond Mills, who took a plea deal in which prosecutors call for up to 15 years in prison. He testified in tears that he was sorry for the beating, that he left Nichols’ young son fatherless and that he wishes he stopped the punches. Later, he testified that he went along with a cover-up in hopes that Nichols would survive and the whole thing would “blow over.”

Nichols died Jan. 10, 2023, three days after the beating. His son is now 7 years old.

The other officer who reached a deal with prosecutors, Emmitt Martin, testified that Nichols was “helpless” while officers pummeled him, and that afterward the officers understood “they weren’t going to tell on me, and I wasn’t going to tell on them.” Under his plea agreement, prosecutors will suggest a prison sentence of up to 40 years.

Defense attorneys questioned whether the officers were properly trained. They also pointed to Martin, who acknowledged punching and kicking Nichols in the upper torso and head, as a principal aggressor.

The police video shows the officers milling about and talking as Nichols struggles with his injuries. An autopsy report shows he died from blows to the head. The report describes brain injuries, and cuts and bruises on his head and other areas.

The five officers also have been charged with second-degree murder in state court, where they pleaded not guilty, although Mills and Martin are expected to change their pleas. A trial date in state court has not been set.

Mattise reported from Nashville, Tennessee.

A sign is seen outside the federal courthouse during the trial of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Demetrius Haley, left, one of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, arrives at the federal courthouse with his attorney Michael Stengel, right, for the day's proceedings Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tadarrius Bean, one of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, arrives at the federal courthouse for the day's proceedings Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Justin Smith, left, one of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, arrives at the federal courthouse with his attorney Martin Zummach, right, for the day's proceedings Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tadarrius Bean, one of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, arrives at the federal courthouse for the day's proceedings Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Demetrius Haley, left, one of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, arrives at the federal courthouse with his attorney Michael Stengel, right, for the day's proceedings Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Justin Smith, one of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, arrives at the federal courthouse for the day's proceedings Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

RowVaughn Wells, right, is comforted during a prayer vigil outside the federal courthouse as jury deliberations begin for the trial of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of her son, Tyre Nichols, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Family and friends of Tyre Nichols gather for a prayer vigil outside the federal courthouse as jury deliberations begin for the trial of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Nichols, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Jamal Dupree, left, and La'Toya Yizar, right, comfort each other during a prayer vigil outside the federal courthouse as jury deliberations begin for the trial of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of their brother, Tyre Nichols, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Family and friends of Tyre Nichols, pray before entering the federal courthouse for the trial of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Nichols, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Justin Smith, one of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichol, arrives at the federal courthouse for the day's proceedings on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht)

Justin Smith, one of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, arrives at the federal courthouse for the day's proceedings Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tadarrius Bean one of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, arrives at the federal courthouse for the day's proceedings Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Friends and family of Tyre Nichols gather to pray before entering the federal courthouse for the trial of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating Nichols, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

RowVaughn Wells, left, mother of Tyre Nichols, prays with family and friends before entering the federal courthouse for the trial of three former Memphis police officers charged in the 2023 fatal beating of her son Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)