Cowboys vs. Steelers: Pittsburgh staying with Justin Fields for now
Pittsburgh is in an interesting place entering Week 5.
Tomlin sticking with Fields against Cowboys - Dale Lolley, Steelers.com
Despite Russell Wilson’s improving status, Justin Fields will remain the starter at quarterback for now.
Russell Wilson, named the Steelers starting quarterback coming out of training camp, will continue to ramp things up as he continues to try to return from a calf issue that has sidelined him for the team’s first four games.
But in the meantime, the Steelers will prepare for their next opponent, the Dallas Cowboys, with the understanding that it will be Justin Fields at quarterback for the fifth consecutive game.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex that Wilson was taking part in a strenuous workout today, and that could lead to the 13-year veteran taking more of an active part in practices this week. But Wilson will still have to show the coaching staff he’s capable of moving and protecting himself within the pocket to be cleared to play.
“We’ll see how he feels in the morning, and we’ll let that be our guide in terms of his participation,” Tomlin said. “But it seems like he’s in a place where his participation is going to pick up some in terms of a practice setting in a live pocket. We won’t draw too many conclusions, but we’ll just start that process, and we’ll comb through that day by day, evaluate his ability to move and function and protect himself, and obviously, evaluate his level of productivity.
Tomlin said Fields’ play could allow the coaching staff to perhaps approach the injury to Wilson with less of a sense of urgency than it might normally do so in a situation such as this.
“It potentially could, but it has not to this point,” Tomlin said. “The guiding factor for us in this point is the amount of ball that we have in front of us, how early we are in this process, that’s probably been one of the significant variables in terms of our approach to his rehabilitation.”
Report: Steelers to sign former second-round OL - Ryland Buckley, BehindTheSteelCurtain.com
As injuries continue along their offensive line, Pittsburgh in bringing in some reinforcements.
After a rash of injuries on the offensive line this season, the Steelers are reportedly adding some help. Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Pittsburgh is expected to poach offensive lineman Max Scharping from the Washington Commanders’ practice squad.
Scharping was a second-round selection by the Houston Texans in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Northern Illinois. The 6’6, 325-pound lineman has started 33 games in his NFL career and appeared in 79.
Scharping was waived by the Texans and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022, where he saw time at right guard instead of his usual position on the left. Since then, he’s also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Commanders, although he didn’t see the field.
The Steelers have yet to make a corresponding roster move to make room for Scharping, but that will likely come when the team places starting guard James Daniels on injured reserve. Daniels suffered a torn Achilles in the Steelers’ Week 4 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Steelers Get Good and Bad Injury News - Jack Markowski, Steelers on SI
The list of Steelers injuries is pretty long.
Tomlin first stated that it’s “prudent” to assume edge rusher Alex Highsmith will remain out this week. He left the Steelers’ Week 3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers with a groin injury that held him out of practice and their Week 4 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Right guard James Daniels will also be sidelined for this contest due to an Achilles injury he suffered versus the Colts. He is likely to miss the remainder of the season, delivering a strong blow to Pittsburgh’s offensive line.
There is some good news on that front as well, as left guard Isaac Seumalo has the potential to return on Sunday night. He participated in practice last week for the first time since going down with a pectoral injury in late August.
Spencer Anderson and Mason McCormick both logged significant playing time in Indianapolis and have the potential to be impact players somewhere down the road, but the return of Seumalo would help fortify the line this season as the Steelers look to make a playoff push.
Tomlin added that the availability of Jaylen Warren, MyCole Pruitt, Cordarrelle Patterson, Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton will be determined based on their participation in practice throughout the work week.
Steelers Work Out Blazing-Fast Wide Receiver - Chris Ward, SteelersNow.com
Pittsburgh might be looking to help out whoever might be under center.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are working out slot wide receiver Andy Isabella on Tuesday, according to Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Isabella, 27, is a former second-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft. In 33 career games, Isabella has recorded 33 receptions for 447 yards and three touchdowns.
Isabella spent four seasons with the Cardinals (2019-2022) before being waived by Arizona on Oct. 4, 2022. He was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens shortly after and spent the rest of the season in Baltimore.
Isabella spent least season with the Buffalo Bills. During the season, Isabella played in only two regular season games, and two playoff games. He signed a reserve/future contract with Buffalo on Jan. 22, 2024. He was released on Aug. 27.
At the combine, Isabella ran a 4.31 second 40 yard dash, which was the third fastest time at that year’s combine, tied with Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell. Isabella stands at 5-foot-9, 186 pounds. He’s a shifty slot receiver like Calvin Austin III and Scotty Miller.
The Steelers had four wide receivers active in Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts — George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III and Scott Miller. Rookie Roman Wilson was once again a healthy scratch after missing missing the entire preseason and the first two games with a high ankle sprain. He also was a healthy scratch in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
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