Justin Fields Will Start Against Falcons in Season Opener

With quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) ruled out, Justin Fields will make his Pittsburgh Steelers debut against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in the season opener. Kyle Allen will backup Fields, while Wilson will be the emergency third quarterback.

Wilson aggravated the injury in practice on Thursday, once again feeling tightness in his right calf. He left practice, and Justin Fields took over at quarterback. Wilson initially suffered the calf injury on July 24 when pushing a sled during the team’s conditioning test.

“I didn’t really know what happened, to be honest, at first,” Fields said. “But we were just doing indy and he just said he felt some tightness.”

Fields looks forward to the opportunity to start against Atlanta, which is his hometown team. It’s something that he’s prepared himself for.

“I have the some process every week,” Fields said on Friday. “I learned my rookie year how fast things can change. I remember my third game, rookie season, Andy Dalton, he was just running out of bounds. It looked like a normal play and he tweaked his knee and then right then and there, I was in. I always prepare like I’m a starter. Like I’ve said before, you never know what’s gonna happen.”

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields at practice on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. — Ed Thompson/ Steelers Now

Fields isn’t sweating being inserted into the starting lineup on short notice.

“That’s the thing: you really can’t ride the wave of emotions,” Fields said on Friday on the possibility of starting. “You’ve really gotta keep feelings out of it. My job is to be the best player I can be for this team. Whether that’s starting or that’s being the backup, I’m not necessarily in my feelings or whatever the case may be. My job is to be there for the team and do whatever I can to make us successful.”

Fields has always been a player under the microscope. Some have taken his laid-back persona to mean that he doesn’t care, especially when things did not go well in Chicago. But he said that’s just who he is.

“I feel like I’ve always kind of been even-keeled,” he said. “Some guys came up to me here and were like, ‘You’re always so like mellow and chill.’ I feel like I’ve always been like that. I never get to high or try to get too low. I just try to stay humble and do my job.”

Fields will looks to turn heads against the Falcons after having a tumultuous three-year tenure with the Chicago Bears. This is a chance for Fields to show that he’s a capable starting quarterback in the NFL.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting for this story.