Russell Wilson injury update: Mike Tomlin reveals Steelers QB's status vs. Denver Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has provided an update on Russell Wilson’s status for this weekend’s clash with the Denver Broncos.
While Justin Fields led the Steelers to a victory in Week 1 while Wilson nursed an injury, Pittsburgh still has the veteran as their QB1, and he’ll start if he’s healthy. Evidently, Wilson is questionable for Week 2, even after it seemed as if all signs pointed to Fields starting once again earlier this week.
“Chances for an anticipated Russell Wilson return to action against his former team are still alive,” NFL.com’s Grant Gordon wrote. “Wilson is questionable to play Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers against his previous squad, the Denver Broncos, head coach Mike Tomlin announced Friday.
“Due to a calf injury that’s lingered from training camp into the regular season, Wilson missed the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons, with Justin Fields getting the start. At the onset of the week, Tomlin said the team was preparing as if Fields would be the starter, but through a week of practice, Wilson has showed enough improvement that it could result in him getting the start against the host Broncos, who gave up a massive haul of players and draft picks to acquire Wilson ahead of the 2022 season.”
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That would create a fascinating dilemma for the Steelers. Fields didn’t throw a touchdown — the Steelers actually scored all their points via Chris Boswell’s leg, he managed the game well, and made some timely throws to get Pittsburgh into solid positions.
His performance, coupled with Fields’ potential, has many analysts believing Pittsburgh should stick with the former Ohio State quarterback moving forward, believing in his ability and potential over what we’ve seen from Wilson.
“He should be. Absolutely, right now,” former NFL head coach Rex Ryan said, regarding whether Fields should start in Week 2 and beyond, via Get Up. “Look, nothing against Russell Wilson, because he’s not healthy right now. So, the decision is simple. You know me, I’ve always called this guy the future, because I love the ability of this guy right here. But the future is a whole string of nows, and right now, he gets to play again, he gets to play again, and I thought, in the offseason, it’s the best trade, by far, during the season, for nothing. A sixth round pick, which was absolutely crazy.
“Look, I get it, initially, when he came into the league, he’s a better athlete than he is a quarterback, so what? So was Steve Young, you know what I mean? So was Randall Cunningham. Guess what? They can get better. Those guys have a tendency to get better. If all of a sudden, this guy hits, you’re looking at a superstar.”
When the final whistle blew, Fields’ stat line read 17/23 for 156 yards, while he added 57 rushing yards on 14 carries. He’ll need to get the ball into the end-zone moving forward, but it was a solid performance from the quarterback nonetheless.
Time will tell if Russell Wilson is even healthy enough to face the Broncos, and it remains to be seen if Mike Tomlin sticks with Justin Fields over the veteran. No matter what, the Steelers situation is something to keep an eye on moving forward.