Tag: Steelers vs. Falcons

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin gives three-word response to Arthur Smith debut

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had a short yet accurate response to Arthur Smith’s first game as offensive coordinator.

The way the Pittsburgh Steelers offense looked in Sunday’s season opener versus the Falcons, Arthur Smith was giving mad Matt Canada vibes. Steelers Nation appropriately roasted him for his debut as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator.

Of course, publicly, Mike Tomlin cares about one thing and one thing alone — the win.

“One and O,” he said with a smile when asked to evaluate Smith’s first game with the Steelers.

It may have just been a component of quarterback uncertainty, but if the first game indicates how Smith will call the offense going forward, we’re in for a long season.

Smith was consistently under fire for his play-calling as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons but had success with the Tennesse Titans. It comes down to the fact that Smith didn’t have the roster in Atlanta that he did in Tennessee. And the current offensive roster in Pittsburgh isn’t where it needs to be to remain competitive, so it will be tough sledding for Smith for however long it takes for the Steelers to get the parts they need.

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Steelers vs. Falcons: Russell Wilson among inactives for 2024 season opener

Here are the Pittsburgh Steelers inactives for their 2024 NFL season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

As expected, Russell Wilson (calf) is inactive for the Pittsburgh Steelers season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. He’s been declared the emergency quarterback and will only play if something happens to starter Justin Fields and backup Kyle Allen.

Here are the Steelers Week 1 inactives:

 

Steelers QB Justin Fields reacts to potential start in hometown of Atlanta

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields could start in place of injured Russell Wilson in his hometown of Atlanta, GA.

Though, by default, he’s QB2 for the 2024 season, Justin Fields has an opportunity to start for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

If Russell Wilson’s calf keeps him from playing, Fields — born and raised in Kennesaw, a suburb northwest of Atlanta — will take the field in front of a hometown crowd.

“It’s going to be cool going back home, especially the first game of the season playing back in my home state,” Fields told Steelers media on Friday.

Fields won’t let playing in front of family and friends get the better of him.

“I feel like I’ve always kind of been even-keeled. Some guys came up to me here and were like, ‘You’re just always so mellow and chill,’ but I feel like I’ve always just been like that. I never try to get too high and never try to get too low. Just try to stay humble and do my job.”

Fields’ sole game at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium resulted in a loss, with the Falcons narrowly defeating the Bears 27-24 in Week 11 of 2022. Hopefully he can change that tomorrow.

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Steelers QB Justin Fields poised to start vs. Falcons

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields prepares as if he’s the starter and very well could be versus Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

For all the hoopla surrounding Mike Tomlin naming Russell Wilson the starting quarterback for the 2024 season, it might be delayed. Wilson continues to nurse a tight right calf — the same one he injured on day one of training camp.

Fields will get the nod if Wilson can’t go — he’s designated as questionable on the team’s final injury report.

Fields has been in the driver’s seat at practice since Wilson’s calf issues returned on Thursday. Even with his heightened chance of starting this week, Fields’ approach to practice remains unchanged.

“I have the same process every week because I learned my rookie year how fast things can change,” Fields told Steelers media on Friday.

Fields recalled starting his 2021 rookie season as the backup and being thrown into the fire three games in.  “I remember my third game, rookie season, Andy Dalton, he was just running out of bounds and it looked like a normal play, and he tweaked his knee, and then right then and there, I was in. So, you know, I always prepare like I’m the starter, and like I said before, you just never know what can happen.

The former first-round pick has maintained the mindset of a starter since joining the Steelers in March.

“At the end of the day, my process, my preparedness is not changing, whether I’m the backup or whether I’m playing in the game,” said Fields. “I prepare like I’m the starter. Anything can happen. Shoot, like if Russ plays and he gets hurt the first drive, or not feel good the first drive. And guess what? I’m in. So, you’ve always got to be ready, and that’s just what comes with being the backup quarterback.”

Wilson said in a locker room interview that he will continue to rehab his calf today and tomorrow and see how he feels during warm-ups on game day.

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Steelers QB Russell Wilson dodges definitive playing status vs. Falcons

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson would not say whether he’s playing versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.

Russell Wilson suffered an injury setback in practice on Thursday, leaving his game status for the season opener up in the air.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback reaggravated the calf strain he’s been battling since the start of training camp in July and was limited in practice Thursday and Friday due to tightness.

Pressed by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor on whether he’d play versus the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Wilson was tight-lipped.

“I’m trying to get my body ready to go and rock and roll,” Wilson said. “We’re doing everything we can.”

Wilson tried to be smart in practice today, focusing on throws, and participation in team drills was “not much.”

It appears Wilson is being purposely vague so as not to tip his hand and force the Falcons to have to prepare for both him and Justin Fields.

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Steelers QB Russell Wilson limited at Thursday practice

An issue that held Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson out of half of training camp has again reared its ugly head. 

An issue that held Russell Wilson out of half of training camp this offseason has again reared its ugly head.

Per TribLive’s Joe Rutter, Wilson was limited at practice on Thursday due to calf tightness.

Ask Van Jefferson, though, and he was none the wiser. “Van Jefferson had no idea Russell Wilson was limited today. Take that for what it is worth,” tweeted Pat McAfee Show Steelers correspondent Mark Kaboly.

Wilson sustained a calf strain while taking on the sled before Pittsburgh’s opening training camp session.

If Jefferson isn’t underplaying Wilson’s limitations, it doesn’t appear the injury will keep him from playing in the season opener against the Falcons.

We’ll see if Wilson shows up on the final injury report tomorrow. Check back here Friday afternoon, as Steelers Wire will have the injury report with game status.

https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly/status/1831767418248839361

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Steelers Week 1 injury report: Pittsburgh mostly healthy to start practice week

Here’s a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons’ injury reports following Wednesdays’s practice, including Jaylen Warren.

The Pittsburgh Steelers released their first injury report for their 2024 NFL  season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

Kicking off Week 1 practice, the Steelers only have two players who did not practice: Starting left guard Isaac Seumalo (ruled out by Mike Tomlin on Tuesday) and No. 3 defensive tackle, Logan Lee.

Here’s a look at the full injury report for the Steelers and Falcons after Wednesday’s practice:

Pittsburgh Steelers

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
WR Roman Wilson ankle LP
CB Cory Trice Jr. groin LP
RB Jaylen Warren hamstring LP
G Isaac Seumalo pectoral DNP OUT
OT Troy Fautanu knee LP
DT Logan Lee calf DNP

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

Atlanta Falcons

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
TE Kyle Pitts hamstring LP
LB Nate Landman quadricep LP

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

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