Russell Wilson Misses Second Straight Practice with Calf Tightness

Chris Ward |

Updated: Jul 26, 2024

UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson was held out for the second straight practice due to a calf strain. It doesn’t appear to be anything serious, but the Steelers are being cautious with their 35-year-old quarterback.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said after Friday’s practice that he just wanted “to keep a minor thing from becoming major” in regards to Wilson’s calf tightness.

Russell Wilson was expected to have an MRI on Thursday, a team source told Steelers Now. Like he did on Thursday, Wilson threw to receivers after practice.

For the second day in a row, Justin Fields received first-team reps.

Looks like no helmet for Russell Wilson (calf tightness) again today. pic.twitter.com/icTfqDDgAG

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) July 26, 2024

Tomlin said after practice on Thursday that he wanted to create a little short-term misery for Wilson and the offense.

“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.”

Tomlin said on Wednesday that he intends to rotate Fields and Wilson into the mix with the first team throughout training camp, though he declined to specify what that rotation might look like.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Unity Twp.