Steelers Preparing to Start Justin Fields vs. Chargers; Russell Wilson Not Ready Yet

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields at practice on Wednesday, Sept 12, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed on Tuesday that they’ll once again prepare for Justin Fields to be the starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, as Russell Wilson is still working his way back from a right calf injury. It will mark the third consecutive start for Fields, who is 2-0 in his first two outings against the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos.

Tomlin said they’re in the “same posture” this week with Wilson, as he’s not scheduled to be a full participant in practice on Wednesday.

“We’re readying ourselves around Justin,” Tomlin said. “We’ll stay in that mindset until something happens. Hypotheticals are a waste of time.”

Tomlin wasn’t interested in hypotheticals when asked if Fields has done enough to earn the starting quarterback position.

“We’ve got one of those two guys available to us as I stand here today, so it is a waste of my time to speculate and hypotheticals and all of that. Justin’s got a game to get ready for this week,” Tomlin said. “My position regarding the pecking order and the depth chart has not changed guys, and it won’t until the other guy gets healthy and then we’ll give it real consideration. Until then, I won’t speculate.”

Wilson said last Thursday 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.”

In addition to Wilson not being able to check every box physically, there’s also mitigating the risk of injuring his calf once again. Wilson first suffered the injury way back in late July. It seemed like it was well behind him after playing in two preseason games, before it re-occurred two weeks ago. 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.”

Tomlin had no updated on the injuries of linebacker Tyler Matakevich (hamstring) and tight end MyCole Pruitt (hamstring). He also added wide receiver to the list Ben Skowronek (shoulder).

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.

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