Russell Wilson Doesn’t Practice to Start Training Camp, Dealing with Calf Issue

UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed after practice that quarterback Russell Wilson is dealing with a calf issue that he woke up with, and that’s why he didn’t practice on Thursday.

Wilson is considered day-to-day. Kicker Chris Boswell received a vet days off

“You know, starts aren’t always ideal. But that’s like life,” Tomlin said. “Russ woke up today, his calf was tight. It was my decision to sit him down today to create a little short-term discomfort for him, not allowing the small problem to become a bigger problem. He could be characterized as day-to-day.

“But on the flip side of that, it was an awesome opportunity for Justin (Fields) and a challenge for our offensive unit to deal with a little adversity at the outset. We all like to start with great fluidity and clean, but football isn’t always like that. And so I looked at it as a good thing for the collective, a challenge for the offensive unit, a challenge and an opportunity to get to know Russ a little bit, create a little short-term misery for him, and opportunities for others. And so that’s the story there.

“He wanted to (practice), and he was probably capable. But I’m getting to know him, and I just chose to create a little misery for him and the offensive unit.”

Justin Fields said he found out at about 6 a.m. that he would get first-team reps. Despite sitting out, Wilson got in some work with the wide receivers after practice.

Tomlin made it clear throughout the offseason that Wilson is in “pole position” to be the team’s starting quarterback, and nothing has changed on that front.

“You think I’m actually going to back myself into a corner so you guys are gonna ask me daily about the rep allocations? No way. I’ve been on the job too long for that,” Tomlin said on the first day of training camp when asked question about how the first-team reps would be divvied up between the two quarterbacks.

Wilson is excited to experience training camp at Saint Vincent College for the first time. It’s a tradition that he’s heard about for years from afar, and he likes the old-school approach of going away for camp. Wilson thinks the camaraderie and team-bonding aspect that Saint Vincent College offers is beneficial in multiple ways, but the goal remains the same.

“I think at the end of the day, it’s the same mission. You have the mission of trying to be the best. Trying to lock in and try to play at the highest level. That part doesn’t change,” Wilson said. “The bonding and the spending time with guys away, which is a great thing.”

Wilson also looks forward to staying in a dorm for the first time in his 13-year NFL career. He feels like he’s at NC State again.

“I feel like I’m a freshman all over again in college, pulling up to NC State. So I remember those days, and that’s the exciting part,” Wilson said. “I think it’s going to be cool, just all of the fellows being together and everything else, I think that will be fun. I am excited to play some ball.”

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Unity Twp.