It appears quarterback Justin Fields will make his second consecutive start of the season when the Steelers head to Denver to take on the Broncos on Sunday.
Fields started last week against the Falcons and has been working as if he will be the starter again this week, while fellow quarterback Russell Wilson is dealing with a calf injury and is listed as questionable for the game.
"Regarding Russell's availability, I'm going to list him as questionable," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "So, obviously if his availability is questionable, then starting is less so.
"But we've been in that mindset all week. Like I've said, we've been focused on getting Justin ready to play and we'll continue in that mindset as we push forward toward gametime."
Unlike a week ago, Fields has had more time to prepare this week, but his approach hasn't changed.
"I guess it helps me a little bit," said Fields. "But like I said last week, I come into every week the same with the same approach that I'm going to play. I'd rather be ready and just have that mindset.
"So, I guess it helps a little bit. But it's really the same process for me."
Fields, who was acquired by the Steelers in a trade with the Chicago Bears this offseason, said getting the extra reps in practice this week is a benefit to him.
"Anytime you can get reps, you feel more comfortable with the play," said Fields. "Of course, I think that's with everybody and everything that we do, just as human beings. So of course, when you do it physically, then you're more comfortable with it.
"But like I said, you just got to have to keep the same mentality each and every week, because you never know what can happen."
What has happened at the quarterback position early this season is Wilson, who was signed as a free agent this offseason, was named the starter the week before the season opener. Leading into the game he felt calf tightness, dealing with the same injury that forced him to miss multiple weeks in training camp.
Wilson said he is getting closer to being back but is also being smart.
"I feel like I'm getting closer and closer," said Wilson. "I'm just trying to be smart, and got to do a lot of work on the field and everything else, throwing and all that. So just trying to be smart.
"I think when it happened in training camp, I was disappointed, because I knew it was pretty strong, pretty good calf injury. So that was disappointing. But, we kept our head up, we worked our butts off every day, the training room staff and everyone. Spent a lot of time getting ready.
"So, when I tweaked it again, it was, 'Okay, yeah, got to be smart here and not crazy push it too hard.' So, I think that was the frustrating part.
"Obviously, I want to be out there between the white lines with the team.
"Anybody who knows me, I always want to go and play. I get my mind ready, my body ready for that. At the end of the day, I believe you've got to play dinged up sometimes. I think Coach (Mike Tomlin) and the
trainers just want me to be smart as well.
"It's early this season, and like I told you guys before, if this was the last game of the season kind of thing, or one of those kind of games, we're definitely going. I think, right now, I want to go, but we want to be smart, as well."
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has been through multiple scenarios in his career regarding injuries, but of course he knows it's more beneficial at this point of the week to have clarity at the quarterback position.
"You always have to have contingency plans, the longer you're in this thing," said Smith. "I've done it where you lose a guy on Saturday or Sunday. That's part of our job. You always have the contingency then when it hits you, you've got to implement it.
"And certainly, especially at that position, makes it easier. But it's the same issue with Kyle (Allen). Like, if Russ can't go and Kyle is here too, he's got to be ready too. He's always a snap away. So as a coach, you don't want to take that for granted.
"Same thing with the guy that may be your fourth wideout. Who knows what happens on Sunday, and the guy's got to play a bigger role, and you say that as a coach, you never know, but when it has to get implemented, it's real. It shouldn't come down to that, but that's part of the building process as well."
Receiver Roman Wilson is questionable for Sunday, while offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo has been ruled out.
The full injury report is below.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 2
Game Status
No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (Calf) - Questionable
No. 10 WR Roman Wilson (Ankle) - Questionable
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - Out
Friday, September 13
No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (Calf) - Limited
No. 6 LB Patrick Queen (Groin) - Full
No. 10 WR Roman Wilson (Ankle) - Limited
No. 21 CB Darius Rush (Concussion) - Full
No. 65 OT Dan Moore Jr. (Ankle) - Full
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Knee) - Full
Thursday, September 12
No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (Calf) - Limited
No. 6 LB Patrick Queen (Groin) - DNP
No. 10 WR Roman Wilson (Ankle) - Full
No. 21 CB Darius Rush (Concussion) - Limited
No. 65 OT Dan Moore Jr. (Ankle) - Full
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Knee) - Full
Wednesday, September 11
No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (Calf) - Limited
No. 10 WR Roman Wilson (Ankle) - Limited
No. 21 CB Darius Rush (Concussion) - Limited
No. 65 OT Dan Moore Jr. (Ankle) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Knee) - Limited
Denver Broncos Participation/Injury Report, Week 2
Game Status
No. 17 WR Devaughn Vele (Ribs) - Out
Friday, September 13
No. 72 T Garret Bolles (Calf) - Full
No. 11 WR Josh Reynolds (Achilles) - Full
No. 17 WR Devaughn Vele (Ribs) - DNP
No. 60 C Luke Wattenberg (Ankle) - Full
No. 52 OLB Jonah Elliss (Knee) - Full
Thursday, September 12
No. 72 T Garret Bolles (Calf) - Limited
No. 11 WR Josh Reynolds (Achilles) - Limited
No. 17 WR Devaughn Vele (Ribs) - DNP
No. 60 C Luke Wattenberg (Ankle) - Limited
No. 52 OLB Jonah Elliss (Knee) - Full
Wednesday, September 11
No. 72 T Garret Bolles (Calf) - DNP
No. 11 WR Josh Reynolds (Achilles) - DNP
No. 17 WR Devaughn Vele (Ribs) - DNP
No. 60 C Luke Wattenberg (Ankle) - DNP
No. 52 OLB Jonah Elliss (Knee) - Limited
