As expected, Mike Tomlin named Russell Wilson his “QB1” to start the season opener September 8th at Atlanta. Wilson gets the nod over Justin Fields, but Tomlin is open to using Fields as well, perhaps with a special package of plays to take advantage of his mobility. Tomlin says it wasn’t easy choosing between Wilson and Fields.
Tomlin wouldn’t elaborate on the potential of using Fields because he wants other teams to have to prepare for both quarterbacks.
The Steelers begin a four-day league-wide break period today before they return to prepare for the first week of the regular season, and when they come back on Monday, first round draft choice Troy Fautanu expects to be a full practice participant after missing the last couple of weeks with a knee injury. He was hurt in the first preseason game. He will wear a knee brace.
Starting guard Isaac Seumalu left practice yesterday with a pectoral injury that ESPN reports is not serious. But the injury could impact his availability for Week One.
Defensive captain Cam Heyward said yesterday “There is nothing to report” on contract extension talks with the Steelers. He’s entering the final year of his contract and wants to play at least three more years but says while he is not getting his hopes up, he is hoping something gets done.
The Steelers have signed wide receiver Brandon Johnson to the practice squad. He played the last two seasons with the Broncos with 25 receptions, five of them touchdown catches. The team also signed offensive lineman Doug Nester to the practice squad, according to Nester’s agent. He played alongside Steelers center Zach Frazier at West Virginia and spent training camp with the Minnesota Vikings.
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