Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is nearing a return to the field, and will start against the Buffalo Bills. Listed as the starting quarterback for the Steelers on their depth chart, Wilson could make a return and play, especially after head coach Mike Tomlin said last week after their game against the Houston Texans that he expected to see Wilson play.
Wilson took most of the QB1 reps on Wednesday for the first time in all training camp. That could be a sign that his calf is getting better after all, but the Steelers will want to ensure he does not aggravate the injury. However, Wilson feels ahead of schedule and will be ready.
“I’ve been working every single day,” Wilson said. “Even the days I was a little bit lighter in team, I was just getting all the fundamental work. And then, obviously, over the past two weeks, I’ve really been building up a lot more reps in the team drills and everything else. That’s been great. I’ve been full for the past several days and everything else. I feel really good. I’m ahead of schedule. I feel great.”
There could be worry from the Steelers and Wilson himself, however, that he could injure that calf once again, which would put him in danger of missing the regular season. Yet, if Wilson gets the call, he will be ready to play.
Wilson feels completely confident in his calf and will not back away from playing time if the Steelers give him that opportunity. This goes back to the mindset that Wilson has always had, which is one without fear or worry.
“I don’t play with fear. I never have,” Wilson said.
“You play smart, just like a normal game. You’ve got to know when to get down. You’ve got to know when to slide, get out of bounds, all those things. Like I said, this is my 13th year. I know kind of how to avoid certain things, certain hits and all that. You’ve got to be smart out there. But also, too, you don’t play scared. I don’t strap on the pads and just get ready to go and play fearful. Anybody who knows me, I don’t think that way. So I’ll be ready to rock and roll if that’s the case.”
The Steelers are in a spot where Wilson wants to play and is the starter, but the team has to likely get him out there at some point. Fields has taken most of the QB1 reps throughout camp with Wilson nursing the calf injury, and even though Wilson looks mobile once again in practice, even Joe Burrow reinjured the calf during the season last year and was not the same player.
The Steelers can not have that happen with Wilson, who is pegged to be the likely starter against the Atlanta Falcons, they want to win many games this year. As for his inclusion against the Bills, Wilson is doing everything he can to play.
“I’m doing everything I can to be ready to go,” Wilson said. “The coaches call, obviously, if he wants me to play or not. And the doctors, too. But just focus on being great tomorrow.”
The arrow seems to be pointing toward Wilson getting the start. However, the Steelers will likely decide that on Thursday, as Mike Tomlin will speak to the media following their joint practice with the Buffalo Bills. Once that is done, Wilson’s participation in the game should become much clearer.
