There's trouble in the Steel City already : Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson was limited at the team's practice on Thursday after re-aggravating tightness in his calf.
The 35-year-old veteran suffered the injury while pushing a sled at the beginning of training camp. Despite being initially slowed, Wilson insisted he "felt great" after completing six series over two preseason games.
“His calf got tight, so we wanted to exercise some precaution," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told the media . "We'll see what tomorrow looks like and kind of go from there."
"It really doesn't [affect game-planning] at all, to be honest with you," he continued. Tomlin was also asked about how comfortable he would be should backup Justin Fields have to step in.
"I'm extremely comfortable if that is the case, certainly." Wilson was named the starter for Pittsburgh's Week 1 home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons back on August 28.
The Steelers signed Wilson for a bargain one-year, $1.4 million contract this offseason following his release from the Denver Broncos. In 15 starts last season, he guided the Broncos to a 7-8 record and thew for 3,070 yards with a 26-9 TD-INT ratio.
He was recently named Pittsburgh's sole offensive team captain , joining franchise mainstays TJ Watt, Cameron Hayward, and Miles Killebrew.
Wilson's staple rushing and deep-ball ability already seemed sapped during his time in Denver. Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel warned his calf injury may limit him even more.
"A calf issue is one of the worst injuries for a quarterback because you can’t drop back, you can’t move out of the pocket, & you can’t be yourself.," Daniel said on X . "Russell Wilson won’t be the same Russell Wilson. That’s his game.”
"I’m telling you a calf for a QB is probably the worst injury you could have…you’re not yourself, you can’t dropback normal, & can’t move out of the pocket which is Russell Wilson’s game."
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Tomlin downplayed the severity of the injury, saying he doesn't have any long-term concerns for Wilson. The team would turn to Fields if the former Seattle Seahawk can't go.
Fields was acquired this offseason from the Chicago Bears for a conditional fourth-round draft pick. He threw for 2,562 yards in 13 starts last season to go along with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Fields, unlike Wilson at this stage in his career, add most of his value with his legs. His 1,143 rushing yards in 2022 were the second most ever by a quarterback in a single-season behind only Lamar Jackson's 1,206 in his 2019 MVP season.
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