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Pittsburgh signing Russell Wilson for a veteran minimum seemed like a solid move, right? Week 4’s here, though, and we’re still waiting to see that seasoned vet magic. So, what’s the deal? It’s the calf injury. Wilson’s aging limbs caught up with him, forcing him out just after being named QB1. And while Justin Fields is seizing the reins, one NFL insider pointed out that Wilson might’ve made things worse with a critical mistake.

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Now, with Fields’ stellar performance, analysts are already asking if he should keep the starting spot even when Wilson heals up. Wilson’s injury, though, might be more significant than some expected. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler weighed in, revealing how Wilson’s preseason snaps might’ve aggravated the injury. “Playing/practicing in the preseason seemed to make it worse… He’s simply not moving at a high clip at this point,” Fowler noted on ESPN, adding that Wilson’s calf is “no joke.”

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Russell Wilson’s preseason action against the Lions and Bills may have worsened the situation, and Fowler’s report makes it clear the injury isn’t something you brush off. But with Fields stepping up and handling business, the Steelers are in a decent spot. So would you rather roll with the hot hand or bet on Wilson’s recovery?

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Head Coach Mike Tomlin isn’t tipping his hand just yet, though. He’s praised both Wilson and Fields, keeping his cards close and refusing to speculate on the future QB situation. But the ex-Chicago Bears signal-caller has been holding his own, but Tomlin’s not rushing any decisions.

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Mike Tomlin’s not yet eager to ‘name’ Justin Fields QB1 over Russell Wilson

Even with Justin Fields likely to start for a fourth straight game against the Colts, Tomlin is firm on not naming a permanent starter. “There’s no need,” Tomlin said, emphasizing that decisions like these come when the time is right. Until Russell Wilson’s healthy, Tomlin’s not budging, and he’ll make that call when it matters most.

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Fields, after three seasons with the Bears, had his fair share of doubters. Was he a bust, or just in the wrong system? Well, in his first three starts with the Steelers, Fields is silencing the noise. He’s been solid, completing 73.3% of his passes for 518 yards, with two touchdowns and just one interception. Plus, he’s shown his mobility, rushing 28 times for 90 yards and a score.

But here’s the real question: once Russell Wilson’s healthy, does he automatically reclaim his spot? Or has Justin Fields done enough to keep his hands on the QB1 job for a little longer?

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Syed Talib Haider

1,219 Articles

Syed Talib Haider is the NFL Editor at EssentiallySports with over five years of experience as a sports beat reporter. He began his journey at the outlet covering the NFL, steadily building a strong readership for his in-depth reporting on major events, most notably as a senior writer during Super Bowl LIX, where his coverage helped capture the immediacy and drama of the game. His work during that season led to his promotion to the editorial desk, where he now oversees NFL coverage and guides the outlet’s strategy.

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Deepali Verma

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