Tag: Russell Wilson

Sep 22, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) works out before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Steelers WR George Pickens reveals Russell Wilson to start vs. Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Mike Tomlin still hasn’t revealed a decision, but it appears the Pittsburgh Steelers are ready to give Russell Wilson his first start at quarterback Sunday night against the New York Jets.

Wide receiver George Pickens spoke with reporters Friday afternoon and was asked how he was doing working with Wilson, who missed the first part of the season with a calf injury.

“(We’re) getting on the same page after practice throwing — more than usual because, you know, this is his first start,” Pickens said Friday.

Tomlin, the Steelers’ longtime coach, has kept his quarterback plans close to the vest after Justin Fields led Pittsburgh to a 4-2 start.

Wilson, who was active last week and served as Fields’ backup in a blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders, was not listed on the injury report this week. Reporters found out from offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. that Wilson was taking at least some of the first-team reps.

Fields spoke to reporters Thursday and sounded like a man who believed he had lost the starting job.

“I don’t think I played good enough, if I’m being real with you,” Fields said. “If I’m being real with myself, I think if I did play well enough, I don’t think there would be any sort of (question of) who should be playing, who should not.

“At the end of the day, (we) got a few wins. Of course, I’m glad about that, but there’s areas that I could be better at and I’m just going to continue to work on those and continue to get better.”

Fields and Wilson competed for the starting job in training camp, when the latter was bothered by a calf injury. Tomlin made Wilson the QB1 at the end of the preseason, but Wilson’s leg injury crept up before Week 1 and he was inactive for the first five games.

Wilson was a Super Bowl champion with Seattle and came to Pittsburgh on a one-year, veteran-minimum contract after two underwhelming seasons in Denver.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) celebrates with team mates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Steelers’ Justin Fields takes blame; OC hints at divide in pending QB call

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields sounded like a man that believes he lost his job, even though head coach Mike Tomlin has yet to publicly hand the starter designation to Russell Wilson.

“I don’t think I played good enough, if I’m being real with you,” Fields said Thursday, when asked if it would be frustrating to not start Sunday’s game against the visiting New York Jets. “If I’m being real with myself, I think if I did play well enough, I don’t think there would be any sort of (question of) who should be playing, who should not.

“At the end of the day, (we) got a few wins. Of course, I’m glad about that, but there’s areas that I could be better at and I’m just going to continue to work on those and continue to get better.”

Fields’ comments were noteworthy on the heels of veteran Wilson taking first-team reps this week.

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith made it clear the past two weeks that Tomlin is making the final call at quarterback.

Last week, Smith seemed to send the strongest signal yet that his vote would be cast for Fields.

“There’s no drama to him. He doesn’t try to live through his avatar or create a perception. That’s probably why he was so endearing to his teammates in Chicago,” Smith said. “Extremely coachable, extremely bright.”

On Thursday, Smith repeated Tomlin has “a decision to make by the end of the week.”

“Unfortunately Russell missed a lot of time. Haven’t really got to see him,” Smith said Thursday. “I think Justin’s done a good job. By no means is anybody perfect around here but it’s about winning. I wish we were 6-0 — we’re not. I think we’ve made progress in certain areas some weeks.”

Fields and Wilson competed for the starting job in training camp, when the latter was bothered by a calf injury. Tomlin made Wilson the QB1 at the end of the preseason, but Wilson’s leg injury crept up before Week 1 and he was inactive for the first five games. Active as the No. 2 quarterback last week, Wilson was deemed healthy by Tomlin on Tuesday.

Fields, 25, has completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. He’s also rushed for 231 yards and five scores. The Steelers (4-2), however, rank 28th in passing and 20th in points.

“I want to be 6-0 right now, but it was a great opportunity for me,” Fields said. “Of course, I’m grateful for the opportunity. I did get those first six weeks, and we’ll just see what happens this week.”

Smith argued that Fields should not lose his confidence if the Steelers go back to Wilson.

“His confidence should be high. He’s 4-2. He’s been pretty productive,” Smith said. “So, whatever Mike tells us to do, we’ll have it ready either way. That’s our job.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Steelers QB Russell Wilson expected to be active vs. Raiders

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Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson is likely to be active for his first game of the season Sunday when the Steelers visit the Las Vegas Raiders, coach Mike Tomlin said Friday.

Justin Fields is expected to start with Wilson as his backup. Wilson, who entered training camp as the starter, has been recovering from a strained calf suffered in August.

Fields has led the Steelers to a 3-2 record.

“He’s probably going to be active as the No. 2 quarterback,” Tomlin said of Wilson. “I like what I’ve seen out here. Again, health and rust are two different things. I thought he had a good week displaying his health, his ability to protect. Now it’s just a process of getting re-acclimated to the ball.”

Kyle Allen is the third quarterback on the roster.

Wilson, signed after his offseason release by the Denver Broncos, said he was able to practice all week.

“I was able to do a lot more this week,” he said. “It was exciting to get back out there and be a full participant and do everything, all the reps and everything else.”

Wilson, 35, led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in his second season. In 188 games with the Seahawks (2012-21) and Broncos, he has a 115-72-1 record as a starter.

Fields, 25, played his first three seasons with the Chicago Bears and was 10-28 as their starter.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) works out before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Steelers QB Russell Wilson (calf) closer to returning to action

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Following his first two full practices since early September, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson is closer to making his season debut as a backup rather than the emergency quarterback.

Justin Fields, who became the starter when Wilson strained his calf in a Sept. 5 practice, remains QB1 for the Steelers (3-2) going into their Sunday road game against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-3).

Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, pledges to be ready whenever the time comes to see his first regular-season action since signing with the Steelers as a free agent in March. He practiced fully on Wednesday and Thursday, but his status for Sunday had not been determined.

“I’ve played a lot of football games, have been in a lot of moments,” Wilson, 35, said on Thursday. “I don’t fear them. Getting ready to go and rock and roll.

“I feel confident that I’ll be ready to play … and play at a high level. I think we’re being really smart, too, and trying to understand exactly how I feel.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that Wilson is healthy enough to practice without restrictions. How well the veteran QB practices and his ability to protect himself will determine what the Steelers do from here. Wilson was inactive for the first five games.

Wilson was named the starter following the final preseason game in August but was limited in practice before the Week 1 opener at Atlanta. His status did not change from there, with Fields leading the Steelers to three wins to open the season before the team dropped its past two games.

Fields, 25, has completed a career-high 67.6 percent of his passes for 961 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in five starts. He also has rushed for 172 yards and three scores.

Wilson last started a game on Christmas Eve before the Denver Broncos benched him for the final two 2023 regular-season games in a contract dispute that led to the former Super Bowl winner being released.

“For me, I’m preparing my mind to get ready to go,” Wilson said. “That’s my mentality and help us win, whatever that is. I’m just getting prepared for Friday.

“It’s not like I haven’t been out there. I’ve gotten a lot of reps over this time. I have a lot of confidence with our guys and who we are.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) works out before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Steelers coach: Russell Wilson to practice fully Wednesday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson will be a full participant in practice on Wednesday, coach Mike Tomlin announced.

Wilson has been inactive for the Steelers’ first five games of the season as he works his way back from a strained calf that he sustained in training camp.

“We’re in a little bit different place as I stand here today with Russ,” Tomlin said on Tuesday. “Tomorrow will be the first Wednesday that he’ll be a scheduled full participant, we’ll see where that leads us. First, we’ll see if he’s, obviously, able to pull it off and get through the session. And if he does, what (does) the quality of that work look like? The ability to protect himself, etc. — some of the conversations that we’ve been having, but having more in a hypothetical way.

“He’s at the point of health now where we can work on a Wednesday without restrictions. And so, we’ll do so.”

Tomlin noted that quarterback Justin Fields will continue to take first-team practice snaps, however.

“(Wilson will) get reps with the second unit as to not disrupt Justin’s preparation,” Tomlin said. “And then we’ll see where all of that leads us as we push through the week.”

Wilson, 35, was named the starter following the final preseason game in August but was limited in practice before the Week 1 opener at Atlanta. His status did not change from there, with Fields leading the Steelers to three wins to open the season before the team dropped its last two games.

Pittsburgh (3-2) visits the Las Vegas Raiders (2-3) on Sunday.

A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Wilson last started a game on Christmas Eve before the Denver Broncos benched him for the final two 2023 regular-season games in a contract dispute that led to the former Super Bowl winner being released. He signed with the Steelers in March after also visiting the New York Giants.

Fields, 25, has completed a career-high 67.6 percent of his passes for 961 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in five starts. He has rushed for 172 yards and three scores.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) throws a pass while under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Coach: ‘No need’ to name Justin Fields Steelers’ long-term starter yet

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of five 3-0 teams in the NFL, but their quarterback situation remains up for discussion.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin indicated the team will “have a decision to make” when Russell Wilson recovers from a calf injury and becomes available for the first-string job again.

Justin Fields has helped Pittsburgh start undefeated, but close wins over the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers weren’t enough for him to get a long-term vote of confidence from Tomlin.

Asked Tuesday why he has yet to name Fields the team’s permanent starter, Tomlin replied, “Because there’s no need.” He said Fields will enter the building Wednesday with the mindset that he’s the starter — for Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts (1-2), anyway.

“Sometimes in this business, man, there’s a myriad of complex decisions that need to be made,” Tomlin said. “I’ve learned to make ‘em when it’s appropriate and it’s not necessary as we sit here right now. When Russ gets to an appropriate point of health and we have a decision to make, I’ll make it and I’ll announce it and I’ll be really transparent about it, but until then, I don’t care how many ways you guys ask me, I got no intentions of making the decision that’s unnecessary at this juncture.”

Fields has completed 73.3 percent of his passes this year for 518 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. He’s been sacked six times but also has rushed for 90 yards and a score.

Both Fields and Wilson were acquired by Pittsburgh in the offseason, the former in a trade with the Chicago Bears and the latter as a free agent on a one-year contract.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Steelers QB Russell Wilson (calf) questionable to play vs. Broncos

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expecting to start Justin Fields at quarterback against the Denver Broncos with Russell Wilson questionable for Sunday’s road game against his former team.

Wilson had the same status last week because of a calf injury and was inactive for the season-opening road victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

“Regarding Russell’s availability, I’m going to list him as questionable, and so obviously if his availability is questionable, then starting is less so,” Steelers coach Tomlin said Friday. “But we’ve been in that mindset all week, man. Like I’ve said, we’ve been focused on getting Justin ready to play and we’ll continue in that mindset as we push forward toward game time.”

Fields, 25, completed 73.9 percent of his passes (17 of 23) and did not commit a turnover to lead the Steelers to an 18-10 win in Week 1. Fields, a 2021 first-round draft pick whom the Steelers acquired in a March trade with the Chicago Bears, also had 57 yards on 14 carries.

Pittsburgh signed Wilson, 35, as a free agent in March after the Broncos released him despite a salary cap hit of more than $80 million over the next two seasons.

A nine-time Pro Bowl selection in 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson played 30 games (all starts) for Denver. He was announced as the Steelers’ starter but sustained a calf injury in training camp and aggravated it in practice before the season opener.

“I feel like I’m getting closer and closer,” Wilson, a limited practice participant this week, said on Thursday. “I’m just trying to be smart and got to do a lot of work today on the field and everything else, throwing and all that, so just trying to be smart.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Steelers preparing QB Justin Fields to start at Denver

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Mike Tomlin takes the Steelers back on the road this week with Pittsburgh attempting to start the regular season 2-0 for the first time since 2020.

As of Tuesday, Tomlin said Pittsburgh’s game plan involves Justin Fields starting at quarterback with Russell Wilson not yet 100 percent with a calf injury.

“As I sit here today, we’re preparing as if Justin is going to be our quarterback,” Tomlin said. “Russ is not scheduled to work in totality (Wednesday).”

Until proven otherwise, Wilson would make his return to Denver as an observer. The Broncos released Wilson in March despite a salary cap hit of more than $80 million over the next two seasons.

Tomlin said he will only consider players that are available and, at the moment, he plans to invest in preparation with Fields until Wilson is able to be a full participant in practice. If Wilson gets back to practice this week, the quarterback pecking order is subject to change, according to Tomlin.

“I’m not going to soothe you with hypotheticals. I am unmoved by some of those narratives to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said of whether Wilson is considered the QB1 when healthy.

Fields completed 73.3 percent of his passes (17 of 23) and did not commit a turnover to lead the Steelers to an 18-10 win at Atlanta in Week 1. Fields also had 57 yards on 14 carries.

“It’s good to be in the stadium with the guy. We certainly know a lot more about him after that,” Fields said.

He clicked with wide receiver George Pickens, who caught six passes for 85 yards, but Tomlin said Pittsburgh is wary of Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II in a “very hostile environment” at Denver.

“He’s technically as sound as they come. I was at his pro day he was as pro-ready as any corner I’ve seen,” Tomlin said.

A “battery of movement” is scheduled for Wilson this week but Tomlin said he won’t talk about when and if Wilson could start over Fields depending on his practice status later in the week.

“The guys on the field are the guys that are making the plays,” Tomlin said when asked if Wilson was involved in communication with Fields on the sideline at Atlanta.

Tomlin described the Week 1 situation with Wilson as “quarterback instability” with a decision on the team’s starting quarterback going to gameday, when Wilson felt his calf issue would be too limiting.

“I just visited with him, he feels better today than he did over the weekend. Over the course of the week we’ll be analyzing whether he’s capable of protecting himself,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin confirmed punter Cam Johnston is out for the year with a “major knee injury.”

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) warms up before a preseason game against Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

Justin Fields to start for Steelers as Russell Wilson ailing

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Justin Fields will start for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener in Atlanta, the team announced 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday.

Fields got the nod against the Falcons over Russell Wilson, who was placed on the inactive list as he deals with an ongoing calf issue.

The Steelers brought in the veteran Wilson and Fields, entering his fourth season, to battle to replace the traded Kenny Pickett. Head coach Mike Tomlin named Wilson as the starter, but the training camp calf injury has slowed Wilson.

Wilson was limited in practice on both Thursday and Friday with calf tightness and was listed as questionable on the injury report.

Wilson, 35, was named to the Pro Bowl in nine of his 10 seasons (2012-21) with the Seattle Seahawks. Traded to the Denver Broncos before the 2022 season in a blockbuster deal, Wilson went 11-19 as a starter with Denver and was released earlier this year.

In 188 career starts, Wilson has posted a 115-72-1 record. He’s thrown for 43,653 yards and 334 touchdowns to go with 106 interceptions and has engineered 39 game-winning drives.

He has also rushed for 5,307 yards and added 29 touchdowns.

Fields was the No. 11 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Bears, but Chicago decided to move on from the 25-year-old after three seasons.

He has a 10-28 record in 40 games (38 starts) and has thrown for 6,674 yards with 40 TDs and 30 interceptions. He has rushed for 2,220 yards and 14 scores.

–Field Level Media

Aug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Justin Fields (2) take the field for pre-game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Steelers QB Russell Wilson ‘hoping’ to play in opener vs. Falcons

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson remains hopeful that he’ll be under center for Sunday’s season opener against the host Atlanta Falcons.

Wilson has been limited in practice as he deals with tightness in his calf.

“Just felt a little tight. Wanted to be smart about it,” Wilson said on Friday about limiting himself in practice, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “Obviously, for the game on Sunday, hoping I get to be in it. Trying to get ready to go. … Doing everything we can.”

Wilson acknowledged he didn’t tax himself too much in Friday’s session.

Fourth-year quarterback Justin Fields would get the nod if Wilson is unable to play against the Falcons.

When asked if he is preparing as if he will start on Sunday, Fields said, “I have the same process every week because I learned my rookie year how fast things can change. I remember my … rookie season, Andy Dalton, he was just running out of bounds. It looked like a normal play but he tweaked his knee. Right then and there I was in (the game). I always prepare like I’m the starter.”

Wilson, 35, was named to the Pro Bowl in nine of his 10 seasons (2012-21) with the Seattle Seahawks. Traded to the Denver Broncos before the 2022 season in a blockbuster deal, Wilson went 11-19 as a starter with Denver and was released earlier this year.

In 188 career starts, Wilson has posted a 115-72-1 record. He’s thrown for 43,653 yards and 334 touchdowns to go with 106 interceptions and has engineered 39 game-winning drives.

He has also rushed for 5,307 yards and added 29 touchdowns.

Fields was the No. 11 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Bears, but Chicago decided to move on from the 25-year-old after three seasons.

He has a 10-28 record in 40 games (38 starts) and has thrown for 6,674 yards with 40 TDs and 30 interceptions. He has rushed for 2,220 yards and 14 scores.

–Field Level Media