Russell Wilson day to day with calf injury after missing start of Steelers camp; Justin Fields taking QB1 reps

All offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have declared Russell Wilson the favorite to open 2024 as their new starting quarterback. At the start of training camp Thursday, however, Wilson was not suited up for the team’s first practice, leaving fellow newcomer Justin Fields to take first-team reps under center.

Wilson reported to camp and took the field alongside his Steelers teammates Thursday, but he did not bring a helmet and only observed as the rest of the team began warmups, greeting players as they stretched. Coach Mike Tomlin revealed later that the veteran woke up with a “tight calf,” prompting the staff to hold Wilson out of the opening practice and deem him “day to day” moving forward.

The former Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks signal-caller, who signed a one-year contract with the team in March, also signed autographs for fans on his way out to the field. He wanted to practice Thursday despite his injury, per Tomlin, but the team opted to take an especially cautious approach.

Fields, meanwhile, has maintained since his acquisition from the Chicago Bears via trade, that he’s in a legitimate competition with Wilson for the team’s starting job.