Around the NFL: Russell Wilson expected to be OUT in Week 1

Life moves quickly in the NFL. What was previously established can change in the blink of an eye. Such seems to be the case for the Pittsburgh Steelers and their quarterback Russell Wilson. Last week, the Steelers officially named Wilson the starter over former Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. However, fate might have other plans.

Wilson has been dealing with a calf issue, which first appeared at the beginning of training camp. It was apparently significant enough to where the Steelers listed the Walter Payon Man of the Year winner as QUESTIONABLE for Sunday’s game. But at this point, it seems he may be downgraded from there.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic is reporting that it is likely Wilson will miss his regular season Pittsburgh debut against the Falcons in Atlanta. In his place will be he man he beat out in the preseason, Justin Fields.

The overwhelming majority of his career, Wilson has been an iron man. He did not miss a single game with the Seattle Seahawks until a finger injury in 2021 cost him three games. From there, injuries did become somewhat of a factor in Denver, before he was unceremoniously benched by Sean Payton towards the end of his tenure. Now, at age 35 (36 in November) one can’t help but begin to wonder if perhaps Father Time might be knocking a little louder at his door.

Still, in today’s NFL, quarterbacks are lasting longer than ever. Wilson is one of the more health obsessive players in the league, and I’m sure he is doing everything in his power to ensure he doesn’t answer that particular door just yet. The real concern will be is if Justin Fields performs well and gives the Steelers no real incentive to hand the starting spot back to Wilson.

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