Citing Rust, Mike Tomlin Names Justin Fields Steelers Starter over Russell Wilson This Week

PITTSBURGH — Russell Wilson is healthy, but Justin Fields will remain the Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback — for now.

Head coach Mike Tomlin announced after practice on Friday that Fields will continue to be the starting quarterback. This week, with Wilson fully healthy, he will dress as the team’s backup, instead of being the emergency third quarterback, as he has been the first five weeks of the season.

But Tomlin gave himself and Wilson and out, citing rust after the veteran quarterback missed five weeks of practice with his second calf injury of the 2024 season.

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

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russel Wilson at practice on Wednesday, Sept 19, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Kyle Allen had been the team’s backup in the first five games, playing in two snaps and completing one pass.

Fields has improved his play this season compared to his three years as a starter for the Chicago Bears. He’s completed 67.6% of his passes, compared to his previous career high of 61.4%. His passer rating is 97.1, compared to a previous career high of 86.3, and his career adjusted net yards per attempt is at 6.22, compared to a previous career high of 5.29.

Wilson first injured his calf on the first week of training camp during the team’s conditioning test. He returned after about a month, and played in the team’s final two preseason games, before re-injuring his right calf before the first week of the season.

All three quarterbacks are in the final season of their contracts.

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