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Steelers QB Justin Fields: 'Trying to take advantage of each and every rep' with Russell Wilson sidelined

profilephotocropby: Suzanne Halliburton07/26/24suzhalliburton
justin fields steelers
Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Fields‘ alarm went off at 6:30 a.m. A key text message already was waiting. The quarterback would be the first-team Steelers quarterback in his first-ever day at Pittsburgh training camp.

It seems that Russell Wilson woke up with tightness in his calf, the message from the quarterbacks coach said. Fields, one of four new quarterbacks signed by the Steelers this offseason, will be running the show, albeit at training camp on the practice fields of Saint Vincent College.

Fields said he loved it all. And he got his chance again during Friday’s practice as Wilson watched from the sidelines.

“It was good to get back out there and knock the dust off a little bit,” Fields told reporters. “I felt like everybody’s excited and anxious to get back on the field. It was pretty good, then tomorrow work again and get better.

“I was definitely trying to take advantage of each and every rep that I got today. I am just looking forward to getting better tomorrow.”

Steelers fans gathered at the field to watch Fields sling the football. And other fans and media checked X for clips of the action.

Chase Daniel, a long-time NFL quarterback, shared a Fields clips. It showed the former Bears starter hitting a deep throw to Van Jefferson. Daniel wrote, “I promise you by October, Justin Fields will be leading the Steelers. Bookmark it.”

Fields: ‘good to face short-term adversity’ even if its Steelers camp

Fields said that Wilson helped out whenever he could.

“Any question that I have, I can always go to Russ asking for advice,” Fields said. “He’s going to give his knowledge. He’s been in the league for a long time. Any advice he has for me, I’m always open and willing to take that.”

As for his day as QB1, Fields said: “It’s good to face some short-term adversity, some stuff that’s not expected because we’re going to face things in games that are unexpected. It’s about how we react to those situations and how we adjust.”

He added: “I just tried to do my job for my teammates, but I’m not really changing anything. I try to come out here the same guy every day. I feel like it was all right. There’s always room for improvement. I got some good reps in for sure.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said this week that there’s no change to the depth chart. And he didn’t want to give away Steelers secrets by talking about he and Arthur Smith are dividing reps.

“You think I’m actually going to back myself into a corner so you guys are gonna ask me daily about the rep allocations?” Tomlin said. “No way. I’ve been on the job too long for that.”

While Fields took the reps, Wilson stood on the sidelines. It wasn’t clear what had happened to his calf — he woke up with the issue. But after practice, he took some throws with the receivers and tight ends.

It remains to be seen how long Wilson’s calf will keep him out of action. It could all be a one-day precaution and a one-and-done.