It’s looking likely Justin Fields will end up starting the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season opener after all.
While Russell Wilson was named the Steelers’ starting quarterback last week, Wilson is listed as questionable for their season opener against the Atlanta Falcons due to a calf injury. Fields took all the reps with the Steelers’ first-team offense at practice on Friday, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Friday that the “tea leaves” are pointing toward Fields starting on Sunday, though Wilson will go through a workout with the Steelers on Saturday before a final decision is made.
From @NFLGameDay Kickoff: It appears more likely that Justin Fields starts on Sunday for the #Steelers than Russell Wilson, though Wilson will be examined Saturday. pic.twitter.com/Pv2ZgejleL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2024
Fields competed with Wilson for the starting quarterback job this preseason, so an opportunity to start in Week 1 could open the door for Fields to make a more permanent push for the job if he performs well.
Sunday’s 1 p.m. game in Atlanta will be televised on FOX in Columbus and nearly every other market in Ohio, allowing Buckeye fans to watch Fields if he ends up starting his first game as a Steeler against his hometown team.