Steelers player Russell Wilson uncertain due to calf injury

PITTSBURGH – Although Russell Wilson was named starting quarterback a week ago, the Steelers enter their Week 1 game in Atlanta with no clarity on the position, as his participation is listed as questionable.

After his training camp calf injury worsened during an early individual training session on Thursday and doubts arose about his ability to play in Sunday's season opener against the Falcons, Wilson expressed optimism on Friday but would not commit to his status.

“I just felt a little bit tense,” Wilson said. “I just wanted to play it smart. Obviously we're playing the game on Sunday. I obviously hope I can be there, but I'm just trying to get ready for it.”

“I'm trying to get my body ready for rock'n'roll, so we're doing everything we can.”

Justin Fields will start if Wilson, who was very limited at practice on Friday, does not play Sunday. Wilson traveled with the team to Atlanta for Sunday's game, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Coach Mike Tomlin expressed his confidence in Fields' abilities on Thursday if he is needed.

Wilson, who declined to disclose which calf was injured, said an additional examination on Thursday revealed “good news” about the severity of the injury.

“It wasn't anything bad, extremely bad or anything like that, so that was good news,” Wilson said. “I have to be smart and obviously we're trying to play 20-21 games, so I'm trying to play in all of them. [of them]obviously, and that's kind of my mentality and that's how we want to approach it.”

Wilson said his participation on Sunday could depend on his pregame warm-up and proper grooming in the days leading up to the game.

“The most important thing is just a lot of treatment and preparing myself to see what I can do and take every day [it] Day by day,” Wilson said.

While Wilson and his staff continue to monitor the veteran quarterback's injured calf, Fields is taking the same calm approach he always does before games, regardless of his position in the standings, a lesson he learned early on in Chicago.

“I have the same routine every week,” Fields said. “I learned my freshman year how quickly things can change. I remember my third game, my first season, Andy Dalton, he was just running off the field and it looked like a normal player, but he twisted his knee and right then I was in. So I always prepare like I'm a starter. … You just never know what can happen.”

Wilson sustained the lingering injury on the eve of training camp during the team's new conditioning test when he took a replay that involved hitting a sled. As a result, he didn't throw a single pass in a live team phase during 10 practices and missed the first preseason game.

When asked whether he regretted or was frustrated by the circumstances of his injury and its consequences, 35-year-old Wilson evaded the question.

“Look, I think the game of football is — I've been very fortunate throughout my career not to have a lot of injuries,” Wilson said. “I think the most important thing, though, is just … it's unfortunate, but we react, right?”

“We must react and respond, and I am high and [I’m] ready to do whatever I can to be ready to go. I think that's really my focus. It's not about anything beforehand.”

Fields, who started the season opener, said he played with the first team during team periods on Friday, but also rotated with the starters earlier in the week. Because of that extra work in training camp with the starting offensive line and talented players, Fields expressed confidence in his ability to lead the group on Sunday.

“Yeah, I just talk to the guys in the huddle, I do repetitions with [George Pickens]Delivery van [Jefferson]Calvin [Austin III]Scotty [Miller]and these guys. … We all feel very comfortable playing together.”

Newcomers Roman Wilson and Logan Lee as well as guard Isaac Seumalo are not available for Sunday's game.