Tips, predictions and best bets for Sunday’s games in the first week of the NFL
Lorenzo is back to bring you his favorite bets for each week of the NFL season. See what his favorite picks are for Sunday’s games.
Russell Wilson has won the competition for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback position, but he may not be at center on Sunday when his team opens its season against the Atlanta Falcons.
After suffering a calf injury on Thursday that first appeared when the team arrived at training camp, Wilson is officially listed as questionable for his scheduled debut with Mike Tomlin’s team. If the nine-time Pro Bowl selection is unable to play, the Steelers would task Justin Fields, their other big-name quarterback acquired this offseason, with taking the reins of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense.
Here’s what you need to know about Wilson’s status through Sunday:
Latest information on Russell Wilson’s injury: Will the quarterback play for the Steelers in Week 1?
Wilson’s decision may not be made until the game, as ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported Saturday that the quarterback plans to have his calf tested during pregame warmups. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that Wilson told the team he could play, but team doctors are being “more cautious.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday, as Wilson was limited in practice for the second straight day, that Fields appeared to be the more likely option for a starting spot.
“I’ll go if I can and do everything I can to help us win. That’s how I feel about it,” Wilson told reporters on Friday. “And if not, I’ll do everything I can to help us win that way, too.”
Has Justin Fields’ big moment come?
If Wilson can’t play, Fields – a Georgia native – would be an interesting pivot for the Steelers’ offense.
The fourth-year passer was acquired in a trade from the Chicago Bears in March, for whom he started 38 games from 2021 to 2023. Although he lost the battle for the starting position, Fields was still expected to play a potentially significant role in the offense as a backup – even in Week 1.
“My friend (Falcons coach) Raheem Morris better get ready for a Justin Fields package,” Tomlin said on “The Rich Eisen Show” in August after making the announcement. “There’s too much talent to just sit around and watch.”
Fields, 25, would undoubtedly provide a more dynamic presence behind center than his 35-year-old counterpart after becoming just the third quarterback to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season in 2022. However, turnovers continue to plague the passer, as Tomlin said preseason fumbles “undid a lot of good things” the signal-caller did in August.
