PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Veteran receiver Van Jefferson said they are confident in both quarterbacks, whether it’s Russell Wilson or Justin Fields starting Sunday for the Steelers in Atlanta.
It came into question on Thursday when Wilson was a partial participant during practice after aggravating the strained calf he hurt during conditioning on day one of camp which caused him to miss a couple of weeks of team drills.
There was talk at the time of the hidden benefit of the Wilson injury that the Steelers coaches could like at how Fields worked with the first team. Well, that also made him comfortable with the first team unit and them with him.
“It helps a lot,” Jefferson said Thursday. “Justin is a guy who works a lot. We do a lot of things after practice to get that chemistry down with him. For the time that Russ was out and he was at camp, we saw the way he performed and how great he was at camp. I know that he’s more than prepared, whatever happens, we will be ready.”
“We are confident in whoever is at quarterback,” said tailback Najee Harris. “We know the game plan. We are going to execute it. We are confident in whoever is there.”
Harris noted that both quarterbacks are mobile, but Fields obviously brings a different level in terms of running the football.
There is still one more practice and the potential that Wilson goes full on Friday and starts Sunday. But already down a couple of starting offensive linemen, the Steelers could be without their starting quarterback for the season opener.
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“I don’t know the specifics of it or what is going on, but Russ is a great competitor and wants to be out there,” Jefferson said. “If Justin has to step out there, he’s more prepared to do that. At the end of the day, whoever gets out there, the job still has to get done. Both quarterbacks are capable of doing that Sunday. We will roll with whoever is out there.”
Other changes on the practice report Thursday include, tight end Darnell Washington who did not practice with a knee injury.
Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. and running back Jaylen Warren were full after they were limited on Wednesday, along with Troy Fautanu who was full with a knee after being limited.