For all the hoopla surrounding Mike Tomlin naming Russell Wilson the starting quarterback for the 2024 season, it might be delayed. Wilson continues to nurse a tight right calf — the same one he injured on day one of training camp.
Fields will get the nod if Wilson can’t go — he’s designated as questionable on the team’s final injury report.
Fields has been in the driver’s seat at practice since Wilson’s calf issues returned on Thursday. Even with his heightened chance of starting this week, Fields’ approach to practice remains unchanged.
“I have the same process every week because I learned my rookie year how fast things can change,” Fields told Steelers media on Friday.
Fields recalled starting his 2021 rookie season as the backup and being thrown into the fire three games in. “I remember my third game, rookie season, Andy Dalton, he was just running out of bounds and it looked like a normal play, and he tweaked his knee, and then right then and there, I was in. So, you know, I always prepare like I’m the starter, and like I said before, you just never know what can happen.
The former first-round pick has maintained the mindset of a starter since joining the Steelers in March.
“At the end of the day, my process, my preparedness is not changing, whether I’m the backup or whether I’m playing in the game,” said Fields. “I prepare like I’m the starter. Anything can happen. Shoot, like if Russ plays and he gets hurt the first drive, or not feel good the first drive. And guess what? I’m in. So, you’ve always got to be ready, and that’s just what comes with being the backup quarterback.”
Wilson said in a locker room interview that he will continue to rehab his calf today and tomorrow and see how he feels during warm-ups on game day.
