Steelers' Wilson restricted in observe, iffy to begin

PITTSBURGH — Regardless of naming Russell Wilson because the beginning quarterback per week in the past, the Steelers enter their Week 1 recreation in Atlanta with out readability on the place as he is listed as questionable.

After aggravating his coaching camp calf damage throughout an early particular person interval of Thursday’s observe, casting doubt on his availability to begin Sunday’s season opener towards the Falcons, Wilson expressed optimism Friday whereas remaining noncommittal about his standing.

“I simply felt a bit tight,” Wilson stated. “I simply wished to be sensible about it. Clearly, we play the sport on Sunday. I am hoping I get to be in it, clearly, however simply making an attempt to get able to go.

“I am making an attempt to get my physique able to go and rock and roll, so we’re doing every part we are able to.”

Justin Fields would begin if Wilson, who was very restricted in Friday’s observe, would not play Sunday.

Coach Mike Tomlin on Thursday expressed confidence in Fields’ ability if he is known as upon.

Wilson, who declined to share which calf was injured, stated further analysis Thursday revealed “excellent news” in regards to the severity of the aggravation.

“It wasn’t one thing worse, extraordinarily worse or something like that, in order that was excellent news,” Wilson stated. “I’ve obtained to be sensible and clearly we’re making an attempt to play 20 to 21 video games, so I am making an attempt to play in all [of them], clearly, and that is sort of my mentality, and the way we need to go about it.”

Wilson stated his participation Sunday might come all the way down to pregame warmups and correct care within the days main as much as the sport.

“Crucial factor is simply tons of remedy and on the point of see what I can do every day and take [it] day-to-day,” Wilson stated.

Whereas Wilson and the workers proceed to watch the veteran quarterback’s calf, Fields is taking the identical regular strategy he all the time follows main as much as video games, irrespective of his place on the depth chart. That is a lesson he discovered early on in Chicago.

“I’ve the identical course of each week,” Fields stated. “I discovered my rookie 12 months how briskly issues can change. I bear in mind my third recreation, rookie season, Andy Dalton, he was simply working out of bounds and seemed like a traditional play, and he tweaked his knee after which proper then and there I used to be in. So I all the time put together like I am a starter. … You simply by no means know what can occur.”

Wilson initially sustained the nagging damage on the eve of coaching camp in the course of the group’s new conditioning check when he took a rep hitting a sled. In consequence, Wilson did not throw a cross in a reside group interval for 10 practices and missed the primary preseason recreation.

Requested if he regretted or was annoyed in regards to the circumstances surrounding his damage and its ripple results, the 35-year-old Wilson deflected.

“Pay attention, I feel the sport of soccer is — I have been very lucky over my complete profession to not have many accidents,” Wilson stated. “I feel an important factor although is simply … it is unlucky, however we reply, proper?

“We obtained to react and reply, and my head’s up and [I’m] able to do every part I can to be able to go. I feel that is actually my focus. It is not on something earlier than.”

Fields, who began the preseason opener, stated he took first-team reps in group durations Friday, however he had additionally rotated in with the primary group earlier within the week. Due to that further coaching camp work with the beginning offensive line and talent gamers, Fields expressed confidence in his potential to steer the group Sunday.

“Yeah, simply me speaking to the blokes within the huddle, me getting reps with [George Pickens], Van [Jefferson], Calvin [Austin III], Scotty [Miller], and people guys. … All of us really feel very comfy with one another, enjoying with one another.”

Rookies Roman Wilson and Logan Lee are listed as out for Sunday’s recreation, as is guard Isaac Seumalo.