Steelers' Week 3 plan options Fields as QB1

PITTSBURGH — For the third week in a row, the Pittsburgh Steelers are readying for Justin Fields to begin at quarterback Sunday as Russell Wilson continues to work by way of a lingering calf damage.

“We’re form of in the identical posture as we had been in final week with Russ,” Tomlin mentioned Tuesday. “As I sit right here right now, Russ isn’t scheduled to be a full participant in follow [Wednesday], and so we’re prepared in a plan that options Justin and his readiness.”

Wilson was a restricted participant in every follow final week and was inactive as he served because the emergency third quarterback within the win towards the Broncos.

Wilson, who initially injured his calf on the eve of coaching camp as he pushed a sled in a crew conditioning check, hasn’t absolutely participated in follow or performed within the first two regular-season video games since aggravating his calf Sept. 5.

“We’ll comply with Russ all through the week, and if his participation will get to a stage in participation and high quality the place we must always take into account him, we’ll delve into that at the moment, and clearly when that occurs is a element of the consideration,” Tomlin mentioned.

“However as I sit right here right now, he’s not scheduled to be a full participant tomorrow in follow and so we’re readying ourselves round Justin and we’ll keep in that mindset till one thing else occurs. Hypotheticals is a waste of our time now.”

In Wilson’s place, Fields and the offense helped the Steelers to a 2-0 begin on the street, one thing the crew hadn’t achieved since 1999. Though the offense has scored just one landing in two video games — a move from Fields to tight finish Darnell Washington — Fields has been largely environment friendly, finishing a career-high 69.8% of passes. He additionally hasn’t thrown an interception or misplaced a fumble.

“It has been actually good,” Tomlin mentioned of Fields’ decision-making, “however I anticipate it to be.”

Fields, although, will face his hardest check up to now Sunday towards an Los Angeles Chargers crew that has allowed simply 6.5 factors per sport, the fewest within the league by way of two weeks. The Steelers’ protection is second at 8.0 factors per sport.

In working with Fields in-game, Tomlin mentioned that his relationship with the quarterback has grown and that he has realized about how Fields leads and offers with adversity.

“It simply grows in in-game environments,” Tomlin mentioned of his relationship with Fields. “There was some level within the sport. I went as much as him, I instructed him to problem his unit by way of cleansing up their performs so we might get out of the stadium and finish the sport. I requested him to do it in his personal voice, in his personal phrases, however these are a number of the issues that you just ask a quarterback to do.”

However Tomlin shut down hypothesis about what Fields’ performances might imply for the beginning quarterback place long run, emphasizing that he will not make a dedication in regards to the job till Wilson returns from the calf damage. Wilson was nonetheless listed because the beginning quarterback in the newest depth chart launched Tuesday, whereas Fields remained second.

“My place concerning the pecking order and the depth chart has not modified, guys,” Tomlin mentioned. “And it will not till the opposite man will get wholesome, after which we’ll give it actual consideration. Till then, I will not speculate. I do not know what number of methods I can inform you guys that.”