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ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson might get “one other shot” at changing Justin Fields as starter as soon as he has recovered from the calf harm that’s set to maintain him off the sphere via Week 3.
“I could possibly be within the minority right here, however primarily based on the talks I’ve had with folks inside and outdoors the group, my sense is that Wilson’s stronger command of the offense will give him one other shot as soon as prepared,” Fowler wrote.
Fowler famous that Wilson’s probabilities of beginning in Week 4 might hinge on the results of Discipline’s Sunday begin in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers.
“If Fields goes 3-0, I do not see a situation during which Tomlin makes a direct transfer to Wilson, who’s lack of reps relationship to late-July is working in opposition to him,” Fowler wrote. “However I additionally do not see a situation during which Wilson does not play in any respect this season, both.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday that the staff was making ready for Fields, who was named Wilson’s backup at the beginning of the season, to begin on Sunday. Fields has led Pittsburgh to a 2-0 season begin with wins in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos.
Fields has gone 30-of-43 via his first two begins in black and gold, marking a career-best 69.8 p.c completion fee whereas throwing for 273 yards and one landing. He has added 84 yards on the bottom.
The Steelers offense has general been low-scoring via Fields, with Pittsburgh combining for 31 factors and one landing of their two wins.
Of these factors, 25 have come from kicker Chris Boswell, who has gone 8-of-8 from discipline aim vary with 4 kicks over 50 yards and made the additional level on Fields’ single passing landing in opposition to the Broncos.
To date it has been the Steelers’ protection that has been the star of the season, with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith efficient in placing stress on opposing quarterbacks and the line of defense holding each the Falcons and Broncos underneath 90 dashing yards apiece.
That has labored for Pittsburgh to this point largely as a result of Fields has been in a position to ready keep away from throwing picks, with no interceptions and no misplaced fumbles via two video games.
In the meantime, Wilson is constant to work via the calf tightness that restricted him throughout preseason and coaching camp. As of Tomlin’s announcement, the veteran quarterback had not but been a full participant in follow since tweaking his injured calf on Sept. 5, as famous by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
When chatting with reporters on Tuesday Tomlin didn’t rule out the chance that Wilson might return in time for Sunday’s contest.
“We’ll comply with Russ all through the week, and if his participation will get to a degree in participation and high quality the place we should always take into account him, we’ll delve into that at the moment, and clearly when that occurs is a part of the consideration,” Tomlin mentioned, per Pryor.
Wilson final noticed NFL motion in December 2023 earlier than he was benched for his last two video games as a Bronco. Fields, who has the benefit of more moderen expertise, might increase his case for conserving the beginning job by main the Steelers offense to a higher-scoring win over the Chargers.
