UNITY TWP., Pa. — For the third consecutive practice, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson was sidelined due to a calf strain. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin did note after practice that Wilson was a limited participant, however. So it looks like he’s close to returning.
Wilson said after Friday’s practice that the calf injury occurred during the team’s run test on Wednesday, when he was pushing a sled.
“Just working hard, and sometimes things happen,” he said. “The good news is that I feel good. We’ll get there in time. The good thing is that I’m getting a lot of mental reps and throwing stuff on the side and the post-practice, as well.”
The injury doesn’t appear to be serious. The Steelers are just playing it safe.
Russell Wilson said that if it were up to him, he’d have been practicing since Day 1. He doesn’t expect to miss much more time with the calf injury and said that Mike Tomlin and the trainers are just being cautious.
“We’re not trying to rush it,” Wilson said. “I say we got 20-21 games to play. Someone said we gotta have you for 17. I’m thinking 21, possibly 20, hopefully. First place. That’s just got to be the mentality you have.”
Tomlin said after practice on Thursday that he wanted to create a little short-term misery for Wilson and the offense.
“Yeah, I hate not practicing,” Wilson said. “(Tomlin) was laughing, ‘I enjoy this, you got to wait a second and all that.’ It was funny. I think coach and the trainers are being super careful so nothing happens.”
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 third day in a row, Justin Fields received first-team reps.
“Yeah, he’s done a really good job,” Wilson said of Fields on Friday. “Every play he’s going against a really great defense. Every day he’s making some really great plays. Plays that he responds back to, and this and that. That’s a part of practice. He’s a really good competitor, he processes well. He’s a tremendous young talent, for sure.”
Steelers tight end Rodney Williams suffered an AC joint sprain at Saturday’s practice after diving for a catch attempt. He did not return. Mike Tomlin said after practice that Williams will be out multiple days. Veteran Isaac Seumalo got the day off.
STEELERS INJURY REPORT
| Player | Injury | Date | Prognosis | Roster Status |
| QB Russell Wilson | Calf tightness | July 24 | Day to day | Active, LP on Sat. |
| TE Rodney Williams | AC Joint Sprain | July 27 | Multiple Days | Active, LP on Sat. |
| ILB Cole Holcomb | Left knee | Nov. 2, 2023 | TBD | Active/PUP |
| DT Dean Lowry | Lower body, soft tissue | May/June | Day to day | Active/PUP |
| RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson | Left hamstring | Unknown | Day to day | Active/NFI |
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Unity Twp.