Steelers Injury Updates Steelers News
Steelers QB Russell Wilson ‘Getting Closer’ to Return from Calf Injury
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson continues to progress in his return from a right calf injury, but he’s not ready to play just yet.
Wilson took a step forward in practice on Thursday, doing more to test his calf than the had the day before, but said there remain important steps to take before he can get back into the starting lineup.
“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.”
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. But Justin Fields confirmed that he once again took the majority of the first-team reps in practice, and seems likely to start for the second straight week against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
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. 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 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.”
The Steelers are preparing as if Fields will start once again until Wilson can get back to full practice participation. He’ll have one more chance to do that this week on Friday before the Steelers leave for Denver, but it seems to be trending toward another start for Fields.
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