A calf strain cost Russell Wilson time during training camp, and it is now threatening to delay his regular-season Steelers debut. Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback was limited in practice on Friday and a decision on his status may not be made until game time.
Wilson aggravated the issue on Thursday, and his lack of participation on Friday was aimed at recovering in time for Week 1. The Steelers are set to play the Falcons on Sunday in the first game since he was tapped as Pittsburgh’s starter under center. No firm decision has been made yet on the 35-year-old’s availability, and the progress he makes in recovering over the weekend will be key.
“I just felt a little tight,” Wilson said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “I just wanted to be smart about it. Obviously we play the game on Sunday. I’m hoping I get to be in it, obviously, but just trying to get ready to go… I think the most important thing is just tons of treatment and getting ready to see what I can do each day and take [it] day by day. … I’m trying to get my body ready to go and rock and roll, so we’re doing everything we can.”
With Wilson sidelined for a period during the summer, Justin Fields took first-team reps. That remained the case this week once the former Super Bowl winner encountered his latest issue. Fields gained support in the organization with his performance in camp and the preseason, but it ultimately came as no surprise when head coach Mike Tomlin elected to go with Wilson after he spent the build-up to the campaign in pole position for the QB1 gig.
Of course, many have floated the possibility of Fields taking over from Wilson at some point during the season. Wilson struggled during his Broncos tenure, and the nine-time Pro Bowler was released despite that move creating a record-breaking $85M dead cap charge. He signed a one-year deal aimed at allowing him to rebuild his value on the open market or showing his viability for a longer Pittsburgh tenure.
Fields is in a similar situation after he was traded to the Steelers shortly after the Wilson signing. The former first-rounder did not live up to expectations in Chicago, but Pittsburgh could represent another opportunity for a first-team gig. No in-season negotiations will take place with either passer, and their respective showings will determine whether or not another organizational reset at the position will be needed in 2025.
Pittsburgh’s final injury report lists Wilson as questionable for Sunday, and his status will be worth watching over the coming days. If he is unable to play, Fields will start with Kyle Allen serving as the backup.
