Steelers Get Good News on Justin Fields’ Injury
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed on Monday hat that he expects quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal) to be active this week after missing the last two games.
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.
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 did not practice last Monday and was limited on Tuesday before being listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game. After being held out entirely against Baltimore, Fields dressed as the emergency third quarterback against Kansas City.
After serving as the Steelers’ starting quarterback for the first six games of the season while Russell Wilson dealt with a calf injury, Fields has been used primarily as a change-of-pace running option since. Fields has rushed 62 times this season for 289 yards and five touchdowns. His 4.7 yards per carry average is the best on the team and he’s tied with Najee Harris for the most touchdown runs.
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.
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.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
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