Just like he wouldn’t publicly announce Russell Wilson as his starting quarterback last week, coach Mike Tomlin isn’t ready to label Justin Fields as the backup when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the other team from New York on “Monday Night Football.”
Playing coy with the media at his weekly press conference, Tomlin smiled when he was asked whether Wilson will make his second consecutive start when the Steelers face the New York Giants at Acrisure Stadium.
“He’s scheduled to take first-team reps when we begin (practice) tomorrow,” Tomlin said. “We’ll see where the week leads us.”
A week earlier, Tomlin wouldn’t commit to Wilson replacing Fields at quarterback, and he maintained that stance all the way until the Steelers took the field for a 37-15 victory against the New York Jets.
Similarly, Tomlin isn’t ready to put the backup label on Fields, who guided the Steelers to a 4-2 record before being replaced by Wilson against the Jets. For what it’s worth, Fields remains listed as the backup on the official depth chart that Tomlin releases weekly.
“I want Justin to be prepared to get ready to play — like he’s done,” Tomlin said. “I’m refusing to acknowledge whatever changes (in quarterback order). We’re building a plan to beat the New York football Giants this week. We have two capable guys. We’re going to ready them. They both need to be ready to work.”
Wilson overcame a slow start that included three consecutive three-and-outs in the first and second quarters. He completed 16 of 29 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns, and he rushed for another touchdown as the Steelers reached a season high in points and yards.
Tomlin said Wilson’s poise was a factor in the 35-year-old quarterback not being shaken by the way the game unfolded in the first half.
“I thought his experience was really evident,” he said. “He was unmoved and unshaken by the lack of fluidity with the start. That’s reflective of a guy who has done it at a high level for over a decade, a guy who is a world champion, a guy who is a nine-time Pro Bowler.
“He has seen a lot in this game. That’s in his back pocket just like his throwing ability. It gets you in and out of circumstances.”
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Wilson and the Steelers will try to win their third game in a row when they face the Giants, who have lost two in a row and three of four. It is the final game before the Steelers head into their bye week.
Tomlin expects cornerback Donte Jackson to return from a shoulder injury that forced him from the game against the Jets in the first half. Jackson did not return.
“It may affect him in the front part of the week, but by no means do I expect it to limit his game availability,” Tomlin said.
The Steelers have an extra day to prepare for the Giants because of the Monday night kickoff.
Nose tackle Montravius Adams is expected to miss the game with a knee injury. He was limited to one snap against the Jets. Tomlin had no update on center Zach Frazier (ankle) or outside linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) who missed the game.
Safety Damontae Kazee was a late scratch because of an ankle injury, but he could return against the Giants.
“As we got close to game time, we thought it was prudent to wait another week to include him,” Tomlin said. “I don’t expect there to be any restrictions wit him.”
Running back Cordarrelle Patterson could return from his ankle injury, and Tomlin said linebacker/special teams player Tyler Matakevich could be designated to return from injured reserve.