PITTSBURGH — For the third week in a row, the Steelers are readying for Justin Fields to begin at quarterback Sunday as Russell Wilson continues to work by means of a lingering calf harm.
“We’re sort of in the identical posture as we have been in final week with Russ,” Tomlin stated Tuesday. “As I sit right here at present, Russ isn’t scheduled to be a full participant in apply [Wednesday], and so we’re readying a plan that options Justin and his readiness.”
Wilson was a restricted participant in every apply final week and was inactive as he served because the emergency third quarterback within the win in opposition to the Broncos.
Wilson, who initially injured his calf on the eve of coaching camp as he pushed a sled in a group conditioning take a look at, hasn’t totally participated in apply or performed within the first two regular-season video games since aggravating his calf Sept. 5.
“We’ll observe Russ all through the week, and if his participation will get to a stage in participation and high quality the place we must always think about him, we’ll delve into that at the moment, and clearly when that occurs is a element of the consideration,” Tomlin stated.
“However as I sit right here at present, he’s not scheduled to be a full participant tomorrow in apply and so we’re readying ourselves round Justin and we’ll keep in that mindset till one thing else occurs. Hypotheticals is a waste of our time now.”
In Wilson’s place, Fields and the offense helped the Steelers to a 2-0 begin on the street, one thing the group hadn’t achieved since 1999. Though the offense has scored just one landing in two video games — a go from Fields to tight finish Darnell Washington — Fields has been largely environment friendly, finishing a career-high 69.8% of passes. He additionally hasn’t thrown an interception or misplaced a fumble.
“It has been actually good,” Tomlin stated of Fields’ decision-making, “however I count on it to be.”
Fields, although, will face his hardest take a look at so far Sunday in opposition to a Los Angeles Chargers group that has allowed simply 6.5 factors per sport, the fewest within the league by means of two weeks. The Steelers’ protection is second at 8.0 factors per sport.
In working with Fields in-game, Tomlin stated that his relationship with the quarterback has grown and that he has realized about how Fields leads and offers with adversity.
“It simply grows in in-game environments,” Tomlin stated of his relationship with Fields. “There was some level within the sport. I went as much as him, I informed him to problem his unit when it comes to cleansing up their performs so we may get out of the stadium and finish the sport. I requested him to do it in his personal voice, in his personal phrases, however these are a few of the issues that you simply ask a quarterback to do.”
However Tomlin shut down hypothesis about what Fields’ performances may imply for the beginning quarterback place long run, emphasizing that he will not make a dedication in regards to the job till Wilson returns from the calf harm. Wilson was nonetheless listed because the beginning quarterback in the latest depth chart launched Tuesday, whereas Fields remained second.
“My place concerning the pecking order and the depth chart has not modified, guys,” Tomlin stated. “And it will not till the opposite man will get wholesome, after which we’ll give it actual consideration. Till then, I will not speculate. I do not know what number of methods I can let you know guys that.”
