FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons spent Week 1 preparing for both Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Turns out, that was a good idea. Because on Friday, the Steelers listed Wilson as questionable for Sunday's season opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Fields never appeared on the week-long injury report and is presumably healthy heading into the weekend.
"I am sure we will see on Sunday," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Friday. "Russ is pretty resilient when it comes to those things. He's been that way throughout his career. Like I've said, we've prepared for all of their stuff and all the avenues. We'll be ready for how it goes."
Wilson was a full participant in practice on Wednesday when both the Falcons and Steelers began preparations for the game. On Thursday, though, he was limited due to a calf injury. Friday was the true test, as game designations were due by 4 p.m. ET.
Wilson originally injured his calf during training camp. He felt tightness in the same leg on Thursday, leading him to hold back in practice and then get a second opinion.
"The biggest thing is you hit these nagging things," Wilson said Friday. "I've been feeling great – honestly. The past few weeks have felt really good. Just kind of felt a little funny yesterday.
"I think the most important thing is getting prepared to win. I think that's our focus right now, doing whatever we can. Obviously myself included, and obviously getting ready to rock n roll. I'll be ready to go. If I can go, I'm going to go and try to do everything I can to help us win. That's how I think about it. If not, I'm going to do everything I can to help us win in that way, too."
The Steelers signed Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler, to a one-year deal back on March 15. The next day, the Steelers acquired Fields in a trade with the Chicago Bears. Fields has one year left on his contract. Basically, both are fighting for a future beyond 2024.
Last week, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin named Wilson as the team's starting quarterback. Tomlin later sent Morris a warning that contradicted that, though.
"I think whoever's playing quarterback is going to present that challenge," Morris said Wednesday. "Mike told me to prepare for Justin Fields, so we did. Russell's going to be able to go out there and present the challenge he's always presented to teams, with I'm sure the obnoxious amount of preparation he's put into the game plan in order to go out there and what he's got to get done. But there are roles that guys have got to play, so expect the expected. That's what we'll do."
Wilson is a former third-round draft pick who spent 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, where he won two Super Bowls, and then two with the Denver Broncos before landing in Pittsburgh.
Fields was the Bears' first-round draft pick in 2021 and is now considered one of the most dangerous scrambling quarterbacks in the league.
While both have starting experience, Wilson clearly has more under his belt.
"We are definitely ready for all scenarios," Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake said Thursday. "That's what our job is. Two quarterbacks that have won in this league. One that's played for a lot longer and has won the Super Bowl. They both have positive attributes that we have to be ready for.
"Yeah, that's just part of this league. There's really good football players across all 32 teams. And every team is going to cause a problem that we have to deal with. And this is just one of them. They have a lot of other talented players as well that we have to worry about."
