Russell Wilson sat out the first training camp practice of his Pittsburgh Steelers tenure due to a tight calf.
On Thursday, head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that Wilson woke up with calf tightness, so the club decided to sit him out of practice. Tomlin called it a coach’s decision, noting that Wilson wanted to practice.
Tomlin called Wilson day-to-day.
"It was my decision to sit him down today and create a little short-term discomfort for him," Tomlin said of Wilson, via the team's website, "not allowing the small problem to become a bigger problem."
The Steelers inked the former Pro Bowl quarterback to a veteran minimum deal after the Denver Broncos released him during the offseason. Pittsburgh later traded for former first-round pick Justin Fields.
Wilson has been the clear QB1 throughout offseason workouts, taking the first-team reps. According to Steelers beat reporters, the job is Wilson’s to lose, seemingly negating any perceived training camp battle. Tomlin noted on Wednesday that nothing had changed, and Wilson remained in the driver’s seat.
Perhaps Wilson’s calf issue, if it nags, could open the door for Fields to impress the staff while taking more reps. Or it could be a blip on the radar, Wilson returns in a day or so, and the bus rides onward.
The first week of camp practices are padless as clubs ramp up toward more rigorous work and preseason action. Wilson missing one day isn’t a big deal. However, if it’s a lingering soft-tissue issue that persists -- remember Joe Burrow last offseason? -- the situation could turn.