PITTSBURGH — Regardless of naming Russell Wilson because the beginning quarterback per week in the past, the Steelers enter their Week 1 sport in Atlanta with out readability on the place as he is listed as questionable.
After aggravating his coaching camp calf harm throughout an early particular person interval of Thursday’s observe, casting doubt on his availability to begin Sunday’s season opener in opposition to the Falcons, Wilson expressed optimism Friday whereas remaining noncommittal about his standing.
“I simply felt a bit tight,” Wilson stated. “I simply wished to be good about it. Clearly, we play the sport on Sunday. I am hoping I get to be in it, clearly, however simply making an attempt to get able to go.
“I am making an attempt to get my physique able to go and rock and roll, so we’re doing all the pieces we are able to.”
Justin Fields will begin if Wilson, who was very restricted in Friday’s observe, would not play Sunday. Wilson did journey with the group to Atlanta for Sunday’s sport, a supply informed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Coach Mike Tomlin on Thursday expressed confidence in Fields’ capability if he is referred to as upon.
Wilson, who declined to share which calf was injured, stated further analysis Thursday revealed “excellent news” in regards to the severity of the aggravation.
“It wasn’t one thing worse, extraordinarily worse or something like that, in order that was excellent news,” Wilson stated. “I’ve received to be good and clearly we’re making an attempt to play 20 to 21 video games, so I am making an attempt to play in all [of them], clearly, and that is form of my mentality, and the way we need to go about it.”
Wilson stated his participation Sunday may come all the way down to pregame warmups and correct care within the days main as much as the sport.
“A very powerful factor is simply tons of remedy and on the brink of see what I can do every day and take [it] day-to-day,” Wilson stated.
Whereas Wilson and the workers proceed to observe the veteran quarterback’s injured calf, Fields is taking the identical regular strategy he at all times follows main as much as video games, regardless of his place on the depth chart. That is a lesson he discovered early on in Chicago.
“I’ve the identical course of each week,” Fields stated. “I discovered my rookie yr how briskly issues can change. I keep in mind my third sport, rookie season, Andy Dalton, he was simply working out of bounds and seemed like a standard play, and he tweaked his knee after which proper then and there I used to be in. So I at all times put together like I am a starter. … You simply by no means know what can occur.”
Wilson initially sustained the nagging harm on the eve of coaching camp through the group’s new conditioning take a look at when he took a rep hitting a sled. Because of this, he did not throw a move in a stay group interval for 10 practices and missed the primary preseason sport.
Requested if he regretted or was annoyed in regards to the circumstances surrounding his harm and its ripple results, the 35-year-old Wilson deflected.
“Pay attention, I believe the sport of soccer is — I have been very lucky over my complete profession to not have many accidents,” Wilson stated. “I believe an important factor although is simply … it is unlucky, however we reply, proper?
“We received to react and reply, and my head’s up and [I’m] able to do all the pieces I can to be able to go. I believe that is actually my focus. It is not on something earlier than.”
Fields, who began the preseason opener, stated he took first-team reps in group intervals Friday, however he had additionally rotated in with the starters earlier within the week. Due to that further coaching camp work with the beginning offensive line and ability gamers, Fields expressed confidence in his capability to guide the group Sunday.
“Yeah, simply me speaking to the fellows within the huddle, me getting reps with [George Pickens], Van [Jefferson], Calvin [Austin III], Scotty [Miller], and people guys. … All of us really feel very comfy with one another, enjoying with one another.”
Rookies Roman Wilson and Logan Lee are listed as out for Sunday’s sport, as is guard Isaac Seumalo.
