Adam Schefter shares latest update on Russell Wilson injury, Steelers QB plans

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson may be healthy enough to play against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean that he will move into a starting role with Pittsburgh.

ESPN insider Adam Schefter joined SportsCenter Monday afternoon and revealed the latest on where things stand with the Russell Wilson injury situation and the Steelers plan at quarterback.

According to Schefter, it would be a surprise if Justin Fields doesn’t start for the Steelers against the Cowboys and moving forward, as long as he continues to play well.

Fields filled in for Wilson as the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh after Wilson suffered an injury during the preseason.

“We heard last week Mike Tomlin come out and say that he wasn’t ready to proclaim Justin Fields yet as the No. 1 quarterback in Pittsburgh, but he certainly has played that way so far,” Schefter said. “Now this is a week, a Sunday night game against the Dallas Cowboys, in which Russell Wilson finally was expected to be over that calf injury and ready to play.

“So if Russell Wilson is not playing on Sunday night, that would tell you that Justin Fields, for the time being, has wrestled away the starting quarterback job from Russell Wilson, who entered the season as the starter until he hurt that calf injury during training camp.”

Russell Wilson was named the starting quarterback for the Steelers back in August, before suffering an injury. Justin Fields moved into a starting role in his absence and has been excellent so far this year.

The former Chicago Bears first-round pick is 3-1 as the starter for the Steelers. He has six total touchdowns and only one interception on the season.

Even in Pittsburgh’s one loss this year, which came on Sunday against the Colts, Fields had 312 passing yards and three total touchdowns.

“A lot of people around the league believe it will be tough to bench Justin Fields right now with the way that he has played. He has certainly risen to the occasion,” Schefter said. “It’s hard to imagine he’s going to sit down a guy who has gotten better, who has a 3-1 record through the first quarter of this season, who has played well, who does have the support of his team right now.”

Whether it’s this coming Sunday against the Cowboys or a week or two down the line, Schefter expects Justin Fields to continue to start for the Steelers, even if Russell Wilson is healthy.

“He’s going to have Russell Wilson as an option at some point in time,” Schefter said of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. “But I think it will be a surprise if Justin Fields isn’t starting Sunday night.”