So far, so good for Russell Wilson.
At least that’s according to the Steelers’ practice report Wednesday, which officially listed Wilson as a full participant in practice, just as coach Mike Tomlin anticipated Tuesday. That’s the first time he did everything since aggravating his calf injury the Thursday before facing the Falcons in Week 1.
“We'll see where that leads us first,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “We'll see if he's able to, obviously, pull it off and get through the session. And if he does, what does the quality of that work look like?”
Well, Wilson pulled it off, barring any calf discomfort later in the day, of course. He’s scheduled for his weekly media interview Thursday after practice, so his comments could give a better indication of how he felt.
Tomlin made it clear Tuesday he wants to evaluate how Wilson looks in his return to status quo. That includes his ability to play the position in totality, as well as not risk any further injury. During individual drills at the start of practice, Wilson worked on rolling out and throwing on the run, going through the line after Justin Fields but before Kyle Allen.
“He's at the point of health now where we can work on a Wednesday without restrictions, and so we'll do so,” Tomlin said. “He'll get reps with the second unit so as to not disrupt Justin’s preparation, and then we'll see where all of that leads us as we push through the week.”
Another Steeler was upgraded in practice, too. Running back Jaylen Warren was listed as limited after missing the past two games with a knee injury, though Tomlin categorized him as doubtful to face the Raiders. Warren’s doubtful might be more promising than most, though, given his work ethic and toughness.
Backup tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee) was limited, as well, and several players were out entirely. Those were Cordarrelle Patterson, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Damontae Kazee and DeMarvin Leal.
The Steelers gave rest days to Najee Harris, Isaac Seumalo, Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Watt’s new running mates
With Highsmith and Herbig both set to miss Week 6 in Las Vegas, the dial spins to Jeremiah Moon at the other outside linebacker spot. Moon was on injured reserve this time a week ago, and now he’s in line to start.
“It does suck for Nick, Leal, Alex — everybody’s fighting every single day, so you never want to see that happen,” Moon said Wednesday. “You just go about it day by day and be the best you can be.”
Moon actually has less NFL experience than the two outside linebackers on the practice squad, Ade Ogundeji and Eku Leota. Ogundeji was a fifth-round pick of Falcons from Notre Dame in 2021 and started 27 games for Atlanta from 2021-22. Leota had a sack in Week 2 of this season for the Panthers before they waived him.
Ogundeji joined the practice squad after cut-down day. He was on injured reserve all of last season and didn’t latch on with any team during training camp.
“We’re here for a reason,” Ogundeji said. “We’re here to try to get up and play. That’s what I’ve been trying to do this whole time.”
Leota went undrafted last year, then showed some promise for the Panthers. At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, he’s an inch shorter than Ogundeji and nearly 20 pounds lighter, but feels like he’s getting up to speed a week after coming to Pittsburgh from Charlotte.
“I feel like in this defense, they let [outside linebackers] eat,” Leota said. “They let them go play free. That’s why it’s been an easy transition for me.”
First Published: October 9, 2024, 8:34 p.m.
