The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering Week One with a new quarterback. We just don't know yet who that QB will be, it seems.
The options are either anointed starter Russell Wilson or backup Justin Fields. Both are new to the team this season. The Steelers visit the Atlanta Falcons to kick off their NFL season on Sunday.
Again, Wilson was pegged as the starter — but he's dealing with a calf injury. So everything is up in the air at the moment. Wilson, for his part, told reporters he is hoping to play.
"I'm trying to get my body ready to go and rock and roll. Just doing everything we can," Wilson said, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Wilson was able to get in some practice on Friday, but reports suggest it was not quite the full workload.
"Wilson experienced tightness in his calf during Thursday's practice and was listed as limited as a result. Reporters at the open portion of practice on Friday said Wilson was working off to the side and Wilson said he didn't do much during the team period of the final workout before Sunday's game against the Falcons," wrote Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "Wilson said he's trying to be smart about not pushing things too far, but remains hopeful that he'll be well enough to make his debut for the Steelers."
The Steelers have never finished with a losing record under coach Mike Tomlin. Experts predict that could change this year. But much of it depends on the consistency of the offense. Defensively, there's no doubt Pittsburgh is near the top of the league. So it really will come down to the effectiveness of Wilson, and if not Wilson, then certainly Fields.