Pittsburgh Steelers QB Justin Fields impressing OC Arthur Smith so far

With Russell Wilson still limited at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp as he continues to work his way back from a calf injury suffered last week, Justin Fields has been getting the first-team reps.

And Fields has been making the most of the opportunity with a solid overall showing during the first week-plus of camp. On Thursday, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith noted the progress Fields has made in terms of his ability to operate the offense.

“You’re changing language on guys — especially a young player, he’s been in a couple systems now,” Smith said, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . “So we’re working through all that. But I’ve seen him, he’s really operating the offense.

“There’s a lot of things we can play to his strengths, and that’s exciting. Sometimes were asking him to be aggressive, even in 7-on-7. You have to try to in practice. Nobody wants to see negative plays or if he just checks down. We got to see what he can really do and what he can see in the pocket and all that stuff. Him having more reps is accelerating that process.”

As far as Fields' overall showing thus far, Smith has been impressed. He also noted how Fields' skillset gives the Steelers options.

"I think Justin has done a fantastic job, and we're getting to know him," Smith said. “He’s a dangerous football player with the ball in his hands. It allows you to get creative. Maybe you change up a little bit of a defensive game plan for him. Certainly, he adds a different element.”

As good as Fields has been, it's difficult to gauge just how much ground he has made on Wilson, if any. We'll have a better idea once Wilson puts in full practices and gets his turn with the first-team offense, which should happen any day now.