Steelers Prepare for Justin Fields to Start against Broncos
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said the team will prepare as if quarterback Justin Fields will start against the Denver Broncos on Sunday while waiting to see about Russell Wilson’s health status (calf). Wilson is feeling better than he did last week, but he won’t practice fully until Thursday at the earliest.
“As we sit here today, we’re preparing as if Justin (Fields) is our quarterback,” Tomlin said during his Tuesday press conference. “I think that’s the appropriate way to do it. Speculation is a waste of time. Russell’s hurt.”
Tomlin said they’ll “play it by ear” based on Wilson’s participation and when he can participate.
“That’s a big if. I’m not into the hypotheticals, as I mentioned right now he’s not healthy, so my time and attention is focusing on the readiness of Justin,” Tomlin said when asked if Wilson will start on Sunday if he’s healthy.
Wilson aggravated the injury in practice last Thursday, once again feeling tightness in his https://twitter.com/ASaunders_PGH/status/1832136803941282003″>right
calf. Wilson initially suffered the calf injury on July 24 when pushing a sled during the team’s conditioning test. He. was ruled out for Sunday’s contest against the Atlanta Falcons.
Fields completed 17 of 23 passes (73.9%) for 156 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 91.9 in Sunday’s 18-10 win over the Falcons. He also rushed for 57 yards on 14 attempts (4.1 average). Fields had an up-and-down performance, but he completed two deep passes to George Pickens (a 33-yarder and a 40-yarder) that resulted in two Chris Boswell field goals.
The 33-yard completion to Pickens right before halftime was a significant play in the game, as the defensive gave up a touchdown on the previous possession to allow the Falcons to take a 10-6 lead. Boswell nailed a 44-yard field goal to cut the Atlanat’s lead to 10-9 at halftime.
Tomlin said “there was a lot of good” from Fields’ in his first start as the Steelers quarterback.
Fields didn’t put up gaudy numbers in the win over Atlanta, but that doesn’t matter to him. All he cares about is winning.
“I mean, to be honest, I’m not even worried about that,” Fields said when asked if he’s showcased enough to be the starter moving forward. “I just came (to Pittsburgh) wanting to win and I’m glad we’re leaving here with a win. In terms of who’s starting and who’s not, all I want to do is win at the end of the day. I came here to win, no matter if I was going to throw for 300 yards, 100 yards, no yards.”
Fields said Wilson revealed the news to him that he’ll be the starter right before the game.
“Russ came in after warming up,” Fields said. “And he told me I was up. Like I said all week, he was questionable, was trying to get his calf right and try to get going. So really right before game.”
Wilson will miss out on his revenge game against Denver if he can’t go.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
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