Steelers Get Good News on Justin Fields
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal) was limited at Monday’s practice, the first session for the club heading into Wednesday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Fields sustained an abdomen injury in the second quarter of the team’s Week 15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was initially questionable to return before being downgraded to out.
Fields got hurt on his sole play of the game, which was a designed run for eight yards. Fields took a big shot from Eagles free safety Reed Blankenship as he was sliding. Blankership was called for unnecessary roughness.
Fields along with strong safety DeShon Elliott, cornerback Donte Jackson, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and wide receiver George Pickens all did not play against the Ravens, but head coach Mike Tomlin said they all will have a shot to play on Wednesday.
“Some guys that didn’t play yesterday who have a real chance this week — Justin Fields, DeShon Elliott, Donte Jackson, George Pickens and Larry Ogunjobi — all have an opportunity to play this week,” Tomlin said during his Sunday press conference. “We’ll see where the week leads us from their inclusion.”
Fields was running on his own at Monday’s practice, so it appears that he’s on the right track to be active on Wednesday. It is a short week, however.
Since the Steelers’ Week 11 win over the Baltimore Ravens, the offense has begun implementing more and more of Fields into their offensive game plan.
Fields has proven to be a difference maker with his legs, rushing for 69 yards on eight carries (8.6 yards per carry) in the three games before Week 15.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has also acknowledged that it forces their opponents to spend some extra time preparing for Fields.
“It’s a component of what we do. I’ve been pretty clear about that,” Tomlin said. “Once Justin got healthy, he’s a viable and capable dude, and it’s something that our opponents have to be aware of. When we use it and how much we utilize it will be dependent on plans week to week.”
When he was the starter in the early portion of the year, Fields was proficient in the red zone. His skill set is something that Tomlin values.
“You know, this is a component of what we do. Justin has been here all year, and we always want to highlight individual skill-sets,” Tomlin said. “So I don’t know that the things we’re running present day regarding his package is anything new for us. Most of these concepts we’ve been working since the spring, and so it is not a significant endeavor for us. It’s just simply getting them into the game and identifying a package of plays relative to the opponent that we want to execute.”
PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT
| Player | Injury | Date | Prognosis | Sun | Mon | Tue | Game |
| LB Tyler Matakevich | Knee | Dec. 21 | TBD | DNP | FP | ||
| WR Ben Skowronek | Hip | Dec. 21 | TBD | DNP | DNP | DBT | |
| CB Joey Porter Jr. | Right knee, PCL sprain | Dec. 21 | TBD | DNP | DNP | DBT | |
| QB Justin Fields | Abdomen | Dec. 15 | Day to day | DNP | LP | QST | |
| SS DeShon Elliott | Hamstring | Dec. 8 | Day to day | LP | FP | QST | |
| CB Donte Jackson | Back/pinched nerve | Dec. 8 | Day to day | LP | FP | QST | |
| DT Larry Ogunjobi | Groin | Dec. 8 | Day to day | LP | FP | QST | |
| WR George Pickens | Hamstring | Dec. 6 | Day to day | LP | FP | QST |
STEELERS INJURED RESERVE
| Player | Injury | Date | Prognosis | Roster Status |
| OT Calvin Anderson | Groin | Dec. 13 | Three weeks | Injured reserve |
| CB Zyon Gilbert | Knee | Nov. 16 | TBD | Practice squad IR |
| CB C.J. Henderson | Neck | Nov. 14 | Week to week | Injured reserve |
| CB Anthony Averett | TBD | Oct. 17 | TBD | Practice squad IR |
| WR Roman Wilson | Hamstring | Oct. 17 | Week to week | Injured reserve |
| DE DeMarvin Leal | Neck/stinger | Oct. 6 | Out for season | Injured reserve |
| RG James Daniels | Achilles | Sept. 29 | Out for season | Injured reserve |
| RT Troy Fautanu | R knee dislocation | Sept. 20 | Regular season | Injured reserve |
| P Cameron Johnston | Right knee | Sept. 8 | Out for season | Injured reserve |
| SS Ryan Watts | Neck/stinger | Aug. 24 | Out for season | Injured reserve |
| DL Logan Lee | Calf | Aug. 20 | Week to week | Injured reserve |
| C Nate Herbig | Torn rotator cuff | Aug. 14 | Out for season | Injured reserve |
| ILB Cole Holcomb | Left knee surgery | Nov. 2, 2023 | Week to week | PUP/reserve |
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
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