Russell Wilson
#1 QB,
Broncos
ACTUAL 2022
226 FPTS
RANK:16
2023 SEASON
325 FPTS
RANK:13
AGE
34 yrs
HEIGHT/WEIGHT
5'11'' / 215 lbs
COLLEGE
Wisconsin
Emergency third QB Sunday
Published: 2024-09-15
Wilson (calf) is inactive as the Steelers' emergency No. 3 quarterback Sunday against the Broncos.
Wilson was limited in practice this past week, before being officially listed as questionable for Week 2 action. However, as Wilson continues to deal with a calf injury, Justin Fields -- who helmed the Steelers 18-10 win over the Falcons in Week 1 -- is slated to make his second straight start for the team, with fellow QB Kyle Allen also on hand. Wilson's next chance to log a full practice listing for the first time during the regular season will occur Wednesday, when Pittsburgh begin to prepare for a Week 3 matchup versus the Chargers.
To be listed as questionable
Published: 2024-09-13
Coach Mike Tomlin noted Friday that Wilson (calf) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
While the Steelers plan to list Wilson as questionable, the chances of him starting in Week 2 don't appear especially strong, with Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com relaying that Tomlin noted Friday with regard to the signal-caller's status "obviously if his availability is questionable, then starting is less so." In any case, look for added context regarding the team's QB situation to surface ahead of Sunday's 4:25 ET kickoff. If Wilson is deemed not ready to play, Justin Fields would draw the starting assignment versus the Broncos.
Limited, but seems to be improving
Published: 2024-09-12
Wilson (calf) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Though Wilson's limited participation represents no change from his level of activity in the Steelers' three practices since he first informed the coaching and training staff exactly one week ago that he aggravated a calf injury that first cropped up in training camp, the quarterback suggested after Thursday's session that he's noticing improvement in his condition. Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, Wilson said that he's "getting closer and closer" to playing again. Though Justin Fields still appears to be trending toward a second straight start this Sunday in Denver, the Steelers aren't yet ruling Wilson out from being available for the matchup with one of his former teams. At this stage, however, Wilson appears likely to reprise the role he filled in the Week 1 win over the Falcons, when he was inactive as the Steelers' emergency third quarterback behind Fields and backup Kyle Allen.
Officially limited Wednesday
Published: 2024-09-11
Wilson (calf) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
The Steelers are preparing as if Justin Fields will make a second consecutive start after Fields led Pittsburgh to an 18-10 Week 1 win over the Falcons, but it's encouraging that Wilson will be taking the practice field in some capacity. If Wilson's recovery continues to progress throughout the week, it's possible he could reclaim the starting role by Sunday's game in Denver. Wilson beat Fields in a preseason quarterback competition, so the veteran quarterback will presumably start once deemed healthy enough to do so.
Likely to miss out on another start
Published: 2024-09-10
Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Wilson won't be a full practice participant Wednesday, adding that the Steelers are preparing Justin Fields for a second consecutive start Sunday in Denver, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
After reporting tightness in his calf during practice last Thursday, Wilson was a limited participant in Friday's practice and took a questionable tag into the Steelers' season opener versus the Falcons. He ultimately didn't show enough improvement leading up to Sunday to gain clearance to play, with the Steelers making Wilson inactive while Fields guided Pittsburgh to an 18-10 win in Atlanta. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Tomlin noted that while Wilson is feeling better than he did over the weekend, the veteran signal-caller won't be ready to take meaningful practice reps until Thursday. Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, Tomlin said that the Steelers will "ponder" Wilson's inclusion in the game plan for Sunday's contest in Denver depending on how he progresses as the week rolls along, but Fields is still likely to take most or all of the first-team reps in practice.
Deemed inactive for Week 1
Published: 2024-09-08
Wilson (calf) is inactive as the Steelers' emergency No. 3 quarterback for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Though Wilson campaigned to play in the Steelers' season opener, the team's coaching and training staffs ultimately decided to err on the side of caution and hold the quarterback out for Week 1 after he was a limited participant in practices Thursday and Friday due to the calf injury. Justin Fields will receive the start Sunday and will be backed up by Kyle Allen. Wilson's calf injury isn't believed to be overly significant, so if he's able to increase his practice activity during the upcoming week, he should be on track to make his first start with the Steelers next Sunday in Denver.
Not trending toward start
Published: 2024-09-08
Wilson (calf) remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons and is set to undergo further examination in the morning, but Justin Fields appears likelier than Wilson to start at quarterback for the Steelers as the 1 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Head coach Mike Tomlin had named Wilson the team's Week 1 starter following the preseason, only for the veteran signal-caller to experience calf tightness in Thursday's practice before getting in a limited session Friday. While Adam Schefter of ESPN reported late Saturday that Wilson had informed the Steelers' brass that he thinks he can play in the season opener, the team may be more inclined to take a cautious approach with him if he's operating at well below 100 percent health. In any case, official word on Wilson's status should arrive when the Steelers release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to kickoff. The Steelers have a third quarterback on hand in Kyle Allen and would be able to use him as the backup to Fields if Wilson can't go.
Status for Sunday still uncertain
Published: 2024-09-07
Wilson (calf) has told the Steelers that he can play Sunday against Atlanta, but team doctors are being cautious, and the quarterback's status won't be determined until Sunday morning, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
A report earlier Saturday deemed Wilson's chances of playing Sunday to be "very slim," and Schefter's update neither confirms nor contradicts that perspective. Pittsburgh's decision-makers could feel more comfortable taking a cautious approach and holding the veteran quarterback out due to the presence of Justin Fields, who has ample starting experience in the NFL of his own and had some impressive moments during training camp and the exhibition slate. Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, Wilson intends to test his calf during pregame warmups Sunday and is intent on doing everything he can to be able to suit up for the Week 1 contest.
Chance of playing Sunday 'very slim'
Published: 2024-09-07
Wilson (calf) is still hoping to play Sunday against Atlanta, but sources indicate that his likelihood of doing so is "very slim," according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Wilson is officially listed as questionable for the contest, but this report creates considerable pessimism about the veteran quarterback's chance of making his regular-season Steelers debut in Week 1. Wilson reported experiencing tightness in his calf Thursday and was limited in practice both that day and Friday. He's slated to undergo continued treatment Saturday night and Sunday morning, and how he responds could ultimately determine whether Wilson is able to suit up against the Falcons. If he does end up missing the contest, Justin Fields is in line to take over as the starter in what would be his first regular-season action for Pittsburgh.