Steelers Make 5 Inactive vs. Broncos, Wilson Emergency QB

DENVER — The Pittsburgh Steelers have listed quarterback Russell Wilson (calf), left guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral), wide receiver Roman Wilson (ankle), safety Jalen Elliott (healthy scratch), safety Terrell Edmunds (healthy scratch) and defensive lineman Dean Lowry (healthy scratch) as inactive for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. Kyle Allen will backup Justin Fields, while Wilson will be the emergency third quarterback.

Wilson aggravated the calf injury in the Thursday practice prior to the season opener against Atlanta, once again feeling tightness in his right calf. Fields will start for the second consecutive game.

“Regarding Russell’s availability, I’m going to list him as questionable,” head coach Mike Tomlin said on Friday. “So, obviously if his availability is questionable, then starting is less so.”

Wilson initially suffered the calf injury on July 24 when pushing a sled during the team’s conditioning test. Wilson said this week that he’s not ready to play just yet.

“The first part is the will, I’ve got the will,” he said. “The second part is you’ve got to be able to physically, do pretty much everything. I’m getting there. I also have to listen to the doctors and hear what they have to say and all that. At the end of the day, it’s a team effort trying to figure out what’s the best thing. I’m doing everything I can to go, that’s for sure.”

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson at practice on Sept. 6, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Wilson did some footwork drills before practice on Thursday, more than he has in previous practice sessions since pulling himself out of practice a week ago.

Wilson said he feels that he’s making progress toward being able to be 100% physically.

“I think I’m getting closer and closer,” he said. “I got to do a lot of work today on the field.”

In addition to Wilson not being able to check every box physically, there’s also mitigating the risk of injuring his calf once again. It seemed like it was well behind him after playing in two preseason games, before it re-occurred last week. Even if he feels ready to play, the team might want him to take it easy.

“With this being so early in the season, I also want to be strategic,” Wilson said. “Coach [Tomlin] and I have talked a lot about it. We believe in our football team. We believe in who we are and all the things we can do. So, it’s trying not to rush it. (The season) is a long, long period of time.”

Roman Wilson is still working his way back after suffering a left ankle sprain early in training camp. Wilson is just not there yet health-wise. Seumalo (pec) probably still has a few weeks left until he’ll be back. The initial recovery time for his pectoral injury was reported at 3-4 weeks.

The Broncos ruled out starting slot wide receiver Devaughn Vele (ribs) for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s the lone Bronco that will be out, beside rookie running back Audric Estimé (ankle), who was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 11.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Denver.