PITTSBURGH – Quarterback Russell Wilson said he is “preparing to leave” as the Steelers’ starter against the New York Jets on Sunday night.

Coach Mike Tomlin has declined to name a starter, but Wilson, who aggravated a calf injury in training camp in early September, has taken first-team reps and led the quarterback rotation in individual drills this week. Last week he was active for the first time this season against Las Vegas, but did not play.

“Physically, I’m more myself, I’m working out and stuff like that, so I’m feeling good,” Wilson said Thursday. “… You want to be able to move around, and obviously I’ve never really missed games, so that in itself was a challenge.

“It’s been disappointing, but I’ve also grown a lot. I think you realize that you just keep loving every day. You keep finding ways to lead, you keep finding ways to just embrace the challenges, the hard things, the obstacles in our way and everything else. And you look forward to the journey.

The Steelers went 4-2 with Justin Fields as the starter, but Wilson was still listed as QB1 on the depth chart during those six weeks.

“I think Justin did a great job,” Wilson said. “I think he’s a great quarterback. I’ve competed against him over the years. He’s a great football player, a great teammate and everything. And I think what’s even more important for us is that we keep going throughout the season. We want to get better and keep growing. That’s always the goal, every year.”

Asked about potential awkwardness in a quarterback change, Wilson pointed to his time in Denver when he was benched for Jarrett Stidham late in the season.

“Last year I experienced a challenge. A little bit unexpected along the way, and that in itself was a challenge,” Wilson said. “But at the same time, you lead with love. You lead with love for the game, love for your teammates, just love for what you get to do every day.

“…I came here for one reason. That was to win the Super Bowl. That was to go as far as we could and see where we could go with that. I think we have that opportunity, but we need the work.”