Russell Wilson Already Hurt, Justin Fields Gets First-Team Quarterback Reps With Steelers

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Do the Pittsburgh Steelers have a quarterback controversy? Not yet, but they might eventually. Presumed starter Russell Wilson, who joined the team after a terrible two years in Denver, woke up with a calf injury on Thursday. 

Seriously. 

That opened the door for presumed backup Justin Fields, who was shipped to Pittsburgh from Chicago after the Bears drafted Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, to take first-team reps at practice. 

No judgment on Russell Wilson from me. He and I are basically the same age and I wake up with injuries all the time. Though I'm not an NFL quarterback, I get it. 

Wilson attended practice and signed autographs for fans, but didn't participate on the field. 

Still, the last thing Wilson needs is to open the door for Justin Fields to take the starting job away from him. 

Fields targeted Pittsburgh as a team he wanted to play for and part of the reason is that he thought he could earn the starting quarterback job. 

I am not a big fan of Justin Fields, as I've written many times. He just doesn't have enough qualities of a starting NFL quarterback. 

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson suffered an injury while sleeping, apparently, and Justin Fields stepped in during practice.

(Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Some people fall in love with his physical attributes – which are impressive – and forget that he lacks the awareness and intangibles that create success in the NFL. 

That was on display Thursday, as a video of Justin Fields throwing a deep ball made the rounds on social media. 

Good throw from Fields. But his problem has never been lack of ability to throw the ball far. His problem is that he doesn't understand how the "pocket" works. 

This clip shows Fields hitting a receiver who's wide open, while facing no pressure from the defense. 

That doesn't mean anything. 

Steelers fans are going to demand Fields play the minute that Russell Wilson struggles, but they should be careful what they wish for. 

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to OutKick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named "Brady" because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.