Tag: Steelers vs Falcons

NFL insider says chances are slim Russell Wilson plays

Justin Fields could get the start on Sunday.

The status of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson this week is still up in the air as the team arrives in Atlanta to take on the Falcons. Wilson was limited on Thursday and Friday practice with a calf strain but left the door open for him to play this Sunday.

However, according to Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac, sources have told him the chances are very slim that Wilson will be able to play on Sunday. If this is the case, it will mean Justin Fields gets the start against Atlanta with Kyle Allen as the No. 2 and perhaps Wilson suits up as the emergency No. 3.

https://twitter.com/gerrydulac/status/1832544770805125493

Fields has spent almost the entire offseason as the team’s No. 1 quarterback since the start of training camp and through preseason. There’s no denying he brings an element of athleticism to the position that Wilson cannot. If he starts it will give the Falcons a completely different dimension to plan for.

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Russell Wilson to be a gametime decision but he says he can play

Russell Wilson told the Steelers he can play on Sunday but it’s not his call.

According to ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson told his team he can play this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. But according to Schefter, the team plans to have him test his strained calf before the game and then make a decision on whether Wilson can go.

If Wilson can’t start, it will be Justin Fields getting the nod versus the Falcons. Wilson plans to do everything he can to be ready to play Sunday including lots of treatment on that injured ankle. The Steelers must be cautious with Wilson as this is only the first game of the season.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1832610030836679136

Head coach Mike Tomlin has already said he’s comfortable with Fields if he has to be the starter. Wilson and Fields are very different types of quarterbacks and would not only present unique challenges for the Falcons but would provide a very different look for the Steelers offense and the skill position players.

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Steelers QB Russell Wilson travels to Atlanta despite game status unknown

Russell Wilson flew to Atlanta with the Steelers but no word on if he will play.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing it close to the vest as to who will start at quarterback against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Quarterback Russell Wilson missed most of Thursday and Friday’s practices with the same calf strain he’s been dealing with for most of the offseason leaving the door open for Justin Fields to get the start.

However, the gamesmanship continues for head coach Mike Tomlin and Pittsburgh as Wilson traveled with the team on Saturday to Atlanta. This just gives Falcons head coach Raheem Morris one more thing to think about in the hours leading up to the start of the game.

If we were betting on this one, we expect Fields to get the start. Morris and

the Falcons probably prepared for him on some level after head coach Mike Tomlin offered up his warning at the start of the week, not knowing he might have been giving the Falcons a leg up on prep.

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Steelers place rookie defender on IR

The Steelers placed Logan Lee on IR.

According to the NFL transaction report, per NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, the Pittsburgh Steelers have placed a rookie defender on injured reserve. Pittsburgh elevated wide receiver Ben Skowronek to the active roster to replace rookie defensive lineman Logan Lee.

The Steelers selected Lee in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft out of Iowa. Depending on the severity of Lee’s injury, he could be one of the eight opportunities to activate players in-season from the IR.

Skowronek was a seventh-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. In three seasons, Skowroneck has 58 career receptions for 575 yards.

The Steelers are preparing to take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, With Lee headed to IR, the Steelers will count on veteran free agent addition Dean Lowry to rotate in on the defensive line.

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Steelers vs Falcons: Steelers Wire staff picks

Steelers Wire staff make their picks for this week’s game.

It’s finally time to see the Pittsburgh Steelers kick off the regular season. This week the Steelers travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in a reunion with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to the team he used to coach. This is one of those games where neither side knows what to expect from the other.

Our staff decided to make their picks for this week’s game and you can see the whole thing below as we call for a sweep of the Falcons this week.

The Steelers understand how important it is to get off to a fast start. So much will depend on the quarterback position and since we don’t know who will actually start for Pittsburgh, it muddies the waters even more. The Steelers defense is so good and we just don’t know what we will get with Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. I expect the Steelers defense to attack Cousins and keep him off balance, making life easier on the Steelers offense. Pittsburgh pulls off the close win thanks to the foot of kicker Chris Boswell. Steelers 20, Falcons 17 – Curt Popejoy, Managing Editor

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Predicting the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first week of the season is tough. With a new quarterback and coordinator, no one knows what this offense will look like. Though Falcons safeties Jessie Bates and Justin Simmons will make life harder on the passing game, I think Russell Wilson won’t commit turnovers and manage the game well enough to pull out a win. The defense will do what it does best and keep Kirk Cousins and Company under wraps. The Steelers will start the season 1-0 in a fairly low-scoring game Steelers 13, Falcons 10 – Allison Kohler, Contributor

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Steelers’ offense will prove that its struggles in the preseason were the building blocks needed to vastly improve from last year’s offensive woes, ultimately resulting in a satisfying victory over Atlanta. Steelers 31, Falcons 17 – Andrew Vasquez, Contributor

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Steelers vs Falcons: Who starts at QB for Pittsburgh?

Will Justin Fields get the start for the Steelers vs the Falcons?

It’s just one day until the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Atlanta Falcons and we don’t know who the Steelers starting quarterback will be. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin named Russell Wilson the starting quarterback despite Wilson missing much of the preseason and training camp with a calf strain.

That calf strain popped back up this week limiting Wilson in practice on Thursday and Friday. Wilson is listed as questionable on the team’s game status report, which is fairly standard for any player with an injury.

However, it does make one wonder if Wilson can’t go, will Justin Fields get the start versus the Atlanta Falcons? Fields got the bulk of the first-team reps throughout training camp and significantly more reps in the preseason.

Cast your vote and let us know who you think starts on Sunday for the Steelers. Will it be the athletic Fields finally getting his chance or will Wilson find a way to get on the field?

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Steelers final Week 1 injury report: Russell Wilson questionable to play vs. Falcons

Here’s a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons’ final injury report following Friday practice, including Russell Wilson.

The Pittsburgh Steelers closed Week 1 practice with questions about whether their starting quarterback will play in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

Russell Wilson aggravated a calf injury he’s been battling since day one of training camp and has been limited in practice since Thursday. His status is questionable.

Rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson (ankle), guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) and rookie defensive tackle Logan Lee (calf) will not play.

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

Pittsburgh Steelers

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

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

Atlanta Falcons

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
TE Kyle Pitts hamstring LP FP FP –
LB Nate Landman quadricep LP LP –
CB Antonio Hamilton groin – LP DNP OUT
T Jake Matthews NIR – – –
DL Ta’Quon Graham NIR – – DNP –
DL David Onyemata NIR – – DNP –
DL Grady Jarrett NIR – – DNP –

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

NIR: Not injury-related (rest)

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Justin Fields IG posts lets Steelers fans know he’s ready to start

If Justin Fields gets the call, we expect him to play well.

The news came out on Thursday that Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Russell Wilson was limited at Thursday practice with the same calf strain he has been dealing with throughout training camp and the preseason.

This could put Wilson’s status for Sunday’s game with the Atlanta Falcons in jeopardy. Friday is typically the day when you aren’t available to practice, you don’t play. Obviously, head coach Mike Tomlin has made exceptions and could do so for his starting quarterback but if he cannot go, backup Justin Fields looks like he’s to go.

Fields shared the Instagram post below of him in training camp and it definitely gives the feel that Fields is locked in and ready to start if Wilson cannot go.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_eOvhcMhcK/?igsh=YXdiNnNiajlmajN0

Fields spent the bulk of training camp and the preseason as the starting quarterback while Wilson dealt with this calf injury. The team named Wilson the starter despite very few reps in the preseason.

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Steelers Week 1 injury report: Russell Wilson joins list of injured players

Here’s a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons’ injury reports following Thursdays’s practice, including Russell Wilson.

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

Newly added from Wednesday’s report was quarterback Russell Wilson (calf), who practiced in a limited capacity and tight end Darnell Washington (knee). Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (groin), running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) and offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (knee) were upgraded from limited to full practice, suggesting that, barring a setback on Friday, they’ll be good to go for Sunday.

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

Pittsburgh Steelers

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Russell Wilson calf – LP
TE Darnell Waashington knee – DNP
WR Roman Wilson ankle LP LP
CB Cory Trice Jr. groin LP FP
RB Jaylen Warren hamstring LP FP
G Isaac Seumalo pectoral DNP DNP OUT
OT Troy Fautanu knee LP FP
DT Logan Lee calf DNP 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 FP
LB Nate Landman quadricep LP LP
CB Antonio Hamilton groin – LP

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

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Steelers defender calls WR George Pickens a ‘Freak of nature’

DeShon Elliott heaps praise on Steelers wide receiver George Pickens.

Whether by design or not, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made wide receiver George Pickens the focal point of the passing offense this season. 2023 was a breakout season for Pickens with 63 receptions for a remarkable 1,140 yards.

Pickens’ ability to make spectacular, almost superhuman plays is what sets him apart from other NFL receivers. Teammate DeShon Elliott was on The Sick Podcast and gushed about Pickens’ abilities.

Elliott said that he’s never seen a freak of nature like Pickens and this is despite having played with Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Hill is one of the truly elite playmakers in the league.

We love the highlight-reel plays Pickens makes but to be a true No. 1 receiver he is going to have to be the guy who makes the routine plays as well against top coverages.

The Steelers take on the Atlanta Falcons this week in the season opener and we will get a quick look at Pickens in this new offense.

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