Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: ‘No requirement’ to name Justin Fields beginning QB

Mike Tomlin is in no rush to reveal Justin Fields as the beginning quarterback in Pittsburgh.

While Fields will onceagain get the nod on Sunday in location of the hurt Russell Wilson when the Steelers (3-0) goto Indianapolis (1-2), Tomlin stopped brief of offering the task to Fields on a full-time basis, primarily because there’s no requirement at this point while Wilson rehabs from a calf concern he intensified a coupleof days before the season opener earlier this month.

“When Russ gets to an proper point of health and we have a choice to make, I’ll make it and I’ll reveal it and I’ll be actually transparent about it,” Tomlin stated Tuesday.

Wilson will be minimal onceagain in practice on Wednesday, as the 35-year-old hasactually been each of the previous 2 weeks. Tomlin didn’t guideline out Wilson’s capacity schedule lateron in the week however included it will take more than simply Wilson being cleared by the medical personnel for him to be in factortoconsider for a return to play.

Asked when he believes Wilson may fulfill those standards, Tomlin shrugged.

“We’ll understand when we get there,” he stated. “He’ll not just be healthy in terms of keeping himself safe, however he’ll be healthy in terms of being able to be efficient and do the things that he requires to do and we requirement him to do.”

Wilson, signed to a 1year offer in March after being cut by Denver, beat out Fields throughout a training camp competitors that felt “open” in name just. The nine-time Pro Bowler, nevertheless, intensified a calf injury simply days before the opener in Atlanta.

Fields stepped in and has gradually enhanced with each passing week. He finished 25 of 32 for 245 lawns with a goal and an interception — his veryfirst of the year — in a 20-10 triumph over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday that pressed the Steelers to 3-0 for the veryfirst time giventhat 2020.

“He’s stable, he’s a rival, male, he likes to complete,” Tomlin stated of Fields. “He doesn’t turn down things. He’s aggressive in play, rushing and so forth. It’s simply been enjoyable to get to understand him and not just understand him as a guy however understand him as a rival.”

Fields is finishing 73% of his passes, well above his profession average of 60%. He’s likewise tossed simply one choice in 75 tries, an inexpedient third-quarter toss versus the Chargers that was batted into the air and pulled in by Los Angeles linebacker Bud Dupree. While Fields stressedout he requires to be muchbetter going forward, it’s likewise his just turnover in 3 videogames. He offered it away 41 times in 40 videogames throughout 3 seasons in Chicago.

After sticking primarily to passes on the outside in wins over the Falcons and Denver, Fields was more aggressive over the middle versus Los Angeles. He linked on anumberof crucial tosses inbetween the hash marks, none larger than a dart to Calvin Austin III in the 3rd quarter that Austin turned into a 55-yard goal.

Tomlin applauded Fields’ precision, something he veryfirst saw up close while participatingin Fields’ Pro Day at Ohio State in 2021.

What Tomlin would like to see going forward from Fields is a muchbetter start. The Steelers went three-and-out on 3 of their veryfirst 4 ownerships versus Los Angeles, with just a systematic 13-play, 70-yard goal drive in inbetween.

“We got to get that fixed and get it fixed rapidly,” Tomlin stated, lateron including, “Three-and-outs and things of that nature simply doesn’t tee us up to play the type of ball that we desire to play.”

It’s a type of ball — a physical defense and an offense that is mindful however likewise vibrant — that hasactually made the Steelers the early front-runners in the AFC North. Fields hasactually been an significantly considerable element in Pittsburgh’s hot start. The season, as Tomlin put it Tuesday, is a “moving train.”

Asked if it’s possible for the train to start moving too quickly for somebody with even Wilson’s embellished resume to hop on and play rightaway, Tomlin demurred.

“I wear’t understand, male,” he stated. “We’ll understand when we get there.”

NOTES: OLB Alex Highsmith (groin) is mostlikely out versus the Colts. Nick Herbig, who had 2 sacks last week versus Los Angeles, will fill in. … G Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) might ramp up his involvement this week. The veteran hasactually been out giventhat late August. … RB Jaylen Warren’s status is up in the air after Tomlin pulled him from the Chargers’ videogame after discovering Warren was hopping.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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