By Teresa Varley/Steelers.com
Quarterback Russell Wilson is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons after being limited in practice the last two days with calf tightness.
On Friday, Wilson said he focused ‘mainly on throws’ in practice, while fellow quarterback Justin Fields also got work.
“I just felt a little tight (on Thursday),” said Wilson. “I wanted to be smart about it. Obviously, we play the game on Sunday, I’m hoping I get to be in it. Just trying to try and get ready to go.
“I’m trying to get my body ready to go and rock and roll. So, we’re doing everything we can.
“I just tried to focus on the throws (in practice). Really didn’t try to do too much. I tried to be smart, knowing that we have it all today and tomorrow. And then obviously, Sunday morning.”
Coach Mike Tomlin said on Thursday that Wilson would be further evaluated, and the news was good.
“There was good news there,” said Wilson. “It wasn’t something extremely worse or anything like that. So that was good news. I got to be smart and obviously, we’re trying to play 20 or 21 games, and I’m trying to play in all. That’s kind of my mentality and how we want to go about it.”
Tomlin also confirmed that the calf injury is the same one Wilson experienced in training camp.
“I think the biggest thing is you hate these nagging things,” said Wilson. “I’ve been feeling great the past few weeks. I’ve been feeling really good. Just kind of felt a little funny yesterday.
“I think the most important thing is just getting prepared to win. I think that’s our focus right now, doing whatever we can, myself included, and obviously getting ready to rock and roll, and I’ll be ready to go. If I can go, I’m going to go and try to do everything I can to help us win. That’s how I think about it. And if not, I’m going to do everything I can to help us win that way, too. So, I’m going to do everything I can, as you guys know, to be ready to rock.”
Wilson brought an impressive resume with him to the Steelers, starting all 188 games he played in over 12 seasons. He has led his teams to 115 regular season wins since 2012, ranking him first among active quarterbacks. He has completed 3,668 of 5,665 passes for 43,653 yards and 334 touchdowns.
Wilson has started 16 postseason games, completing 275 of 451 passes for 3,786 yards with 25 touchdowns. During his time in Seattle, Wilson guided the Seahawks to eight playoff appearances, two Super Bowl berths, including a win in Super Bowl XLVIII.
He has missed very little playing time in his career, and Wilson said there have been times before when he missed time in practice but still was ready to go on game day.
“There have been times I have been limited in practice in the past and played on Sunday,” said Wilson, who added that the most important thing is getting treatment. “I am not worried about that part. The most important thing is helping us win.”
If Wilson isn’t able to play on Sunday, the Steelers have a solid backup plan in Fields.
The Steelers acquired Fields in a trade with the Chicago Bears in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick in 2025 this offseason.
Fields was selected by the Bears in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the 11th overall pick. In three seasons he has played in 40 games, starting 38 of them.
Fields said he approaches every week as if he is a starter, so if he is called upon Sunday, he will be ready.
“I have the same process every week,” said Fields. “I learned my rookie year how fast things can change. I remember my third game rookie season, Andy Dalton, he was just running out of bounds, it looked like a normal play, and he tweaked his knee and right then and there I was in. I always prepare like I’m a starter and you never know what can happen.”
Fields got extensive work in training camp and the preseason with the first team offense, something that will benefit him if Wilson can’t go.
“Me talking to the guys in the huddle, getting reps with GP (George Pickens), Van (Jefferson), Calvin (Austin), Scotty (Miller) and those guys,” said Fields. “The coaches, they do a great job of rotating. You’re pretty much going to get reps with all the players on offense. We all feel very comfortable with each other, playing with each other.”
Fields has completed 578 of 958 career pass attempts (60.3%) for 6,674 yards, a seven-yard average per pass. He has thrown for 40 touchdowns in three seasons, and also proven to be a threat with his feet as he has rushed for 2,220 yards on 356 carries and 14 touchdowns, including a career-long 67-yard touchdown run in 2022.
And he does it all with a calm demeanor, not allowing the roller coaster of emotions that is the NFL get to him, including remaining that way when Wilson was named the starter a little over a week ago.
“You can’t ride the wave of emotions,” said Fields. “You got to keep feelings out of it. My job is to be the best player I can be for this team. Whether that’s starting, whether that’s being the backup. My job is to be here for the team and do whatever I can to make us successful.
“I feel like I’ve always been even keel. Guys came up to me here and are like, you’re always so mellow and chill. I feel like I’ve always just been like that. I never try to get too high or never try to get too low. Just try to stay humble and do my job.”