George Pickens accidentally revealed the Steelers' starting quarterback vs. the Jets

If Mike Tomlin had his way, the Jets would have gone into the weekend not knowing if they would face Justin Fields or Russell Wilson — or both.

But George Pickens' Steelers could spoil Tomlin's efforts with some quarterback gamesmanship.

While Tomlin told reporters on Friday that he had decided on the starting quarterback but wanted to keep his call “in-house,” Pickens revealed that he worked extra on practice with Wilson because it would be “his first start.”

Wilson took first-team reps to start the week and was poised to step into a starting role after missing Pittsburgh's first five games with a calf injury — which he had essentially picked up since training camp.

He was active for 6 weeks but backed up the field while getting used to the offense.

“I thought he was sharp,” Tomlin said Friday of Wilson. “I thought Justin was sharp as well. I thought we had a very productive week from both the guys and the whole unit.”

The Steelers' 4-2 record without Wilson, who was signed in March after two disastrous campaigns with the Broncos, revived some semblance of a quarterback debate, even as Fields underwhelmed (just 1,106 passing yards and five passing touchdowns) and Pittsburgh's other units. To spark victory. When Tomlin didn't commit to the eight-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion or the No. 11 pick with the Seahawks in 2021 earlier in the week, it forced the Jets to prepare for both.

Still, with more hustle off the field and overdesigned runs that “aren't necessarily Russell's strengths,” head coach Jeff Ulbrich didn't expect a significant difference and thought the Jets “have the answer either way.”

“[Offensive coordinator] As for Arthur Smith, his passing game is as well-suited to an athletic quarterback as we've seen over the years. [Ryan] Tannehill to all the guys he has,” Ulbrich said Wednesday. “So from that perspective, I don't see a complete change.”

Ulbricht confirmed that WR Davante Adams will play fully Sunday after the Jets acquired him from the Raiders on Tuesday.

He did not carry a designation on the final injury report after Friday's full practice despite missing Las Vegas' previous three games before the trade.

“We didn't know what to expect with him coming here,” Ulbrich said. “Obviously, he was listed on the hamstring injury report, so we had to do an assessment after he got here and he looks great. … Obviously, there is no such thing as a typical person's learning curve. For one, he is experienced. For two, he is familiar with this crime. And his relationship with Aaron in three [Rodgers] Obviously the next level.”

Ulbricht sacks CB Michael Carter II (back). … CB DJ Reed (groin) will be a game-time decision. … TE Tyler Conklin (hip) was a full participant and LB Chazz Surratt (heel) was listed as questionable. … Adams (hamstring), Rodgers (ankle), Will McDonald IV (shoulder), Mike Williams (personal), Tyron Smith (back) and Morgan Moses (knee) were all full participants Friday and had no status designations.