PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting ready quarterback Justin Fields for his fourth consecutive begin, a choice coach Mike Tomlin stated is primarily based on Russell Wilson’s ongoing calf harm.
Tomlin stated he met with Wilson and the staff’s medical workers Tuesday morning. The expectation is that the veteran QB will probably be a restricted participant in follow, as he has been by means of the primary three weeks of the season.
Wilson has dressed for the primary three video games because the emergency third quarterback. His degree of participation all through the week will decide if the Steelers preserve the identical strategy this week in Indianapolis.
“Nonetheless very a lot in the identical place with Russ this week as we have been final week,” Tomlin stated. “I would like Justin singularly centered on beginning for us and doing what’s required to be prepared to do this.”
By three video games, Fields has accomplished 73.3 p.c of his passes for 418 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He’s additionally added an explosive ingredient on the bottom, dashing for 90 yards on 28 makes an attempt with one landing. Extra importantly, he’s supplied a gentle hand that’s allowed Pittsburgh to lean on its protection and leap out to a 3-0 document.
In some unspecified time in the future, Tomlin must resolve which quarterback will probably be his starter in the long run. For now, Tomlin stated Wilson’s not wholesome sufficient to pressure him to choose a lane simply but.
For what it’s price, Wilson remains to be formally listed as QB1 and Fields is the backup on the depth chart. Requested why he hasn’t modified the pecking order, Tomlin stated “it’s not crucial as we sit right here proper now.”
“When Russ will get to an acceptable level of well being and we’ve a choice to make, I’ll make it and I’ll announce it and I’ll be actually clear about it,” Tomlin stated. “However till then, I don’t care what number of methods you guys ask me, I’ve obtained no intentions of constructing a choice that’s pointless at this juncture.”
The Steelers entered this season with the plan of beginning Wilson, but additionally making a particular package deal to function Fields. Nevertheless, when Wilson aggravated a coaching camp calf harm on Sept. 5, the Thursday earlier than the season opener in Atlanta, Pittsburgh needed to pivot.
Within the first two video games of the season, the Steelers have been cautious to not put an excessive amount of on Fields’ shoulders. Beneath first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the Steelers had extra dashing makes an attempt than any staff within the league by means of the primary two weeks. In the meantime, Fields tried greater than 72 p.c of his passes exterior the numbers, including the occasional well timed deep shot so as to add an explosive ingredient.
With the NFL’s best-scoring protection enjoying dominant soccer on the opposite facet of the ball, that considerably conservative strategy was sufficient for the Steelers to win their first two video games.
Nevertheless, within the third recreation of the season in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers have been compelled to open up the playbook. In opposition to a stingy Los Angeles protection that entered Sunday permitting a league-best 6 1/2 factors per recreation, Fields produced his finest passing efficiency as a Steeler. He accomplished 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards, a landing and an interception. He added six dashing makes an attempt for six yards and a landing on the bottom.
“No query Justin has performed properly, and that’s thrilling for him and for us,” Tomlin stated. “However I’m not stunned by that.”
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(Photograph: Brandon Sloter / Getty Pictures)
