PITTSBURGH — Regardless of getting ready for quarterback Justin Fields to begin a fourth consecutive recreation for the undefeated Steelers on Sunday towards the Indianapolis Colts, coach Mike Tomlin declined to call him the starter going ahead over veteran Russell Wilson, who has been sidelined with a lingering calf damage.
“As a result of there isn’t any want,” Tomlin stated when requested why he will not identify Fields the everlasting beginning quarterback. “I defined to you the variables of the week. It has not modified. He will stroll on this constructing with that mindset tomorrow, and so actually, there isn’t any have to. Typically on this enterprise, man, there is a myriad of advanced choices that should be made.
“I’ve discovered to make them when it is acceptable and it isn’t mandatory as we sit right here proper now, when Russ will get to an acceptable level of well being and we now have a call to make, I am going to make it and I am going to announce it and I will be actually clear about it, however till then, I do not care what number of methods you guys ask me, I received no intentions of creating the choice that is pointless at this juncture.”
Tomlin, although, was obscure when requested to elaborate on what an acceptable degree of well being is for Wilson, who initially injured his calf in late July on the eve of coaching camp through the staff’s conditioning take a look at.
“We’ll know once we get there,” Tomlin stated. “He’ll not solely be wholesome when it comes to retaining himself protected, however he’ll be wholesome when it comes to having the ability to be productive and do the issues that he must do and we want him to do.”
As has been the case for the previous two weeks, Wilson shall be a restricted participant in Wednesday’s observe. However Tomlin stated they will revisit Wilson’s standing on the finish of the week if his observe participation will increase all through the week. Wilson has been inactive and served because the staff’s emergency third quarterback for every recreation this season.
“As we stroll within the constructing tomorrow, I would like Justin singularly targeted on beginning for us and doing what’s required to be prepared to do this,” Tomlin stated. “… We’ll see the place the week leads us. If [Wilson’s] availability or the standard of his observe participation picks up, perhaps we’ll take into account that later within the week. If it would not, then it will not be a consideration, and we’ll simply proceed with the place we’re proper now.”
Tomlin initially named Wilson the beginning quarterback after an open coaching camp competitors, although Wilson was given “pole place” for the job quickly after signing a one-year contract with the Steelers in free company. He was poised to begin within the season opener in Atlanta till he aggravated his coaching camp calf damage on the Thursday of Week 1. Since then, Fields has began in Wilson’s place and helped the staff to a 3-0 begin, capped along with his greatest efficiency of the season within the win towards the Los Angeles Chargers. Fields accomplished 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards with two touchdowns (one speeding, one passing) and an interception within the 20-10 win.
Whereas Tomlin acknowledged that Fields has performed effectively in his three-game stint, together with only one turnover, he stated that the previous first-round choose’s efficiency hasn’t factored into his decision-making round a long-term starter on the place.
“Justin has performed effectively, and that is thrilling for him and for us, however I am not shocked by that,” Tomlin stated. “And I hadn’t checked out it when it comes to the decision-making as a result of it isn’t time but.” And whereas Wilson continues to overlook time, Tomlin acknowledged that issues about his skill to leap into a brand new system after the damage are much less important as a result of Wilson has been within the league for greater than a decade. However requested if there is a level when Wilson may not be capable to leap on the proverbial practice as a result of it is transferring too quick, Tomlin deflected.
“I do not know, man,” he stated. “We’ll know once we get there.”
