Tag: 2024 Steelers training camp

New conditioning regimen could have cost Steelers QB room dearly

The Steelers averted a crisis with Russell Wilson’s calf injury a non-concern.

Russell Wilson is expected to return to full practice this week, so there’s no harm, no foul on that front.

As we all know by now, Wilson suffered a calf injury on day one of training camp. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the injury occurred during a new regimen implemented by head strength and conditioning coach Phil Matusz.

But this could have — and should have — been avoided in the first place. Lining the 35-year-old Wilson up to push a blocking sled is ludicrous.

Had Wilson’s calf injury turned out to be more serious (the Steelers are unconcerned), heads would’ve rolled. Steelers fans could’ve been seeing Justin Fields line up under center on Sept. 8. Kyle Allen would be the new QB2. Oh, yes, it could’ve cost the quarterback room dearly — but it appears a crisis was averted.

Still, TribLive’s Mark Madden went so far as to call for the firing of the Steelers’ new head strength and conditioning coach.

The Steelers have Monday off before returning to Chuck Noll Field for Week 2 of training camp tomorrow.

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Is Justin Fields gaining ground on QB position over Russell Wilson?

Steelers QB Justin Fields has been taking first-team reps with Russell Wilson sidelined for first week of training camp.

As Sunday marked the fourth consecutive day that Russell Wilson did not participate in practice with his new Pittsburgh Steelers team, is Justin Fields gaining ground in the gap between him and Wilson?

Not many believed Mike Tomlin when he said this spring that Fields would have the opportunity to compete for the starting job. But Wilson wasn’t sidelined then, either.

Although Fields saw first-team reps during Pittsburgh’s first week of training camp, Tomlin is maintaining his March “pole position” comment.

“Nothing has changed,” Tomlin told Steelers media on Wednesday.

And it really shouldn’t have anyway. The Steelers have been practicing for four days, and there are 42 more between now and kickoff. There’s also the minor detail of Wilson coming into his 13th season and Fields, his fourth. Fields hasn’t proven himself as the better of the two signal-callers, and unless he does, he’s of zero threat to Wilson.

Unquestionably, though, practice with Pittsburgh’s first team can only benefit a former first-round quarterback who’s struggled over his first three seasons.

Fields isn’t the only quarterback benefiting from Wilson’s unfortunate (and unnecessary) injury. Kyle Allen, a Buffalo Bills free agent signed by the Steelers this spring, caught Tomlin’s eye during the unexpected increase in work at practice.

“I was really excited about Kyle Allen today, getting elevated work as a consequence of Russ’ injury,” Tomlin told Steelers media on Friday. “And, so, a really nice opportunity for him today. I thought he did some nice things in that regard.”

Wilson is expected to return to practice this week. The Steelers will have a day of rest and recovery before getting back to Chuck Noll Field on Tuesday.

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Steelers QB Russell Wilson sits out Day 2 of camp with injury

Steelers QB Russell Wilson sits out the second consecutive training camp practice.

As with Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky in 2023, the big question was how Mike Tomlin planned to split reps for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at training camp.

So far, Wilson has made that pretty easy. For the second consecutive day, the official second practice of camp, Wilson is sitting out, according to TribLive’s Chris Adamski.

“It was my decision to sit [Wilson] down today, create a little short-term discomfort for him, not allowing a small problem to become a bigger problem,” Tomlin told Steelers reporters on Thursday. “He wanted to [practice], and he was probably capable, but I’m getting to know him, and I just chose to create a little misery for him and the offensive unit.”

As Adamski reported, Wilson’s calf injury is considered an “upgrade” from yesterday, and he’s been involved with teammates during and between drills.

Fields can benefit from reps more than the 13-year veteran, but Wilson’s injury is definitely something to monitor. Calf injuries often linger.

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