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    • Steelers to start Justin Fields as QB
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    Steelers to start Justin Fields as QB

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    ATLANTA — Russell Wilson’s debut as Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback will have to wait. Justin Fields is in the mix.

    The Steelers officially waived Wilson for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, declaring him the third emergency quarterback due to a calf injury that was aggravated during Thursday’s practice.

    Fields, who pushed Wilson during a training camp game, steps into the lineup to get clearance to return home as Wilson continues his recovery. Wilson participated in pregame warmups and was no doubt hoping to make enough progress in his rehabilitation, but the decision apparently wasn’t left up to the veteran quarterback, as the Steelers’ doctors and coach Mike Tomlin made the final call.

    Here’s what you need to know about Wilson, Fields and the Steelers on Sunday:

    Russell Wilson Injury Updates: QB Out Against Falcons

    Wilson was throwing passes onto the field about two hours before kickoff.

    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that Wilson has told the team he is cleared to play, but that team doctors are being “more cautious.”

    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday, as Wilson was limited to practice for the second straight day, that Fields appeared to be the most likely option to start.

    “I’m going to go when I can go and do everything I can to help us win. That’s the way I think about it,” Wilson told reporters on Friday. “And if we can’t do that, I’m going to do everything I can to help us win that way.”

    Is it time for Justin Fields to shine?

    Fields, a Georgia native, should be an intriguing linchpin for the Steelers’ offense.

    The fourth-year passer was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears in March, for whom he started 38 games from 2021-23. Though he lost out on the starting job, Fields was still expected to have a potentially significant role in the offense as a backup — even in Week 1.

    “My friend (Falcons coach) Raheem Morris has to be ready for a Justin Fields package,” Tomlin said on “The Rich Eisen Show” in August after the announcement. “There’s too much talent to just sit 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. Turnovers continue to plague the passer, however, as Tomlin said preseason fumbles “undone a lot of good things” the quarterback had done in August.

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