After Justin Fields’s last-minute start in Week 1 resulted in a victory for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the question on every reporter’s mind was who would start in Week 2. During his Tuesday press conference, head coach Mike Tomlin refused to verify if it would be Russell Wilson or Justin Fields despite conflicting reports.
Tomlin Refused To Verify A Starter
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Tomlin knew he would be asked about the starting quarterback for Week 2 when he came to the podium on Tuesday, so he got ahead of the media and brought it up during his opening remarks. He stated quite clearly that the team was treating Wilson’s injury the same as any other player in terms of evaluating when they could return to action. At no point did Tomlin rule out the veteran quarterback, saying the team would observe him throughout the week and see where he was at.
“I just visited with him [Wilson]. He feels better today than he did over the weekend, and so what that means, I don’t know as we sit here today. I know that we’re gonna take the same approach that we take with a lot of people in terms of injury. We’ll first start with his participation, and his level of participation, his quality of participation. Over the course of the week we’ll be analyzing whether he’s capable of protecting himself, whether he’s capable of being productive. When we get to those points that’s when we’ll ponder his inclusion or not.”
Steelers Preparing Fields In Case
The Steelers’ situation with the late news on Wilson’s availability against the Broncos meant that for at least a portion of time, the team was hoping for the veteran quarterback to play in Atlanta possibly. Considering the team doesn’t know where Wilson is yet regarding the calf injury, it is prudent for the coaches to go about the week as though Fields was the starter. Tomlin told the media as much, saying the team would prepare with Fields but watch Wilson’s progress.
“But as I sit here today, we’re preparing as if Justin is gonna be our quarterback. I think that’s the appropriate way to do it. Speculation is a waste of time. Russell’s hurt, he’s not available to us, and so, as you guys know, as a general practice, man, I focus my energy on those that are available and their readiness.”
Final Thoughts
The confusion about whether Tomlin came right out and said that Fields would start may have stemmed from the way the head coach wrapped up the portion of the press conference on Wilson’s injury and availability. Throughout his tenure in Pittsburgh, Tomlin has made it a point to avoid speculating on players who may or may not be healthy enough to play on a given week. Considering that Tomlin went out of his way multiple times to state that, while they were preparing for a second start for Fields, Wilson’s injury was a progressing situation, not one that had been decided on.
Until Tomlin knows for sure one way or the other, the head coach will continue to shut down rumors that could fuel a potential quarterback controversy in Pittsburgh. The biggest test for the Steelers tends to be whether the player is limited in the crucial Thursday and Friday practices. It could very well be Fields against rookie Box Nix in Denver, but a Wilson revenge game against his former team is not off the table yet.
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