Steelers’ Russell Wilson limited in practice due to calf stiffness

PITTSBURGH — Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson was limited to practice Thursday after reporting stiffness in the calf he injured during training camp.

Coach Mike Tomlin would not say when Wilson, 35, informed coaches of the shortage, but added that the quarterback would continue to be evaluated as a precaution.

“His calf got stiff, so we wanted to take some precautions,” Tomlin said. “We’ll see how it is tomorrow and see from there.”

Wilson was initially scheduled to speak to the media on Thursday afternoon, but pushed his availability back to Friday due to the aggravation of his calf injury.

Wilson first injured his calf during the team’s conditioning test on the eve of training camp, and he went 10 passes without throwing a team-wide pass after the injury. Wilson slowly returned to practice toward the end of camp, but he missed the first preseason game and played in just six series of the final two. After playing five series in the second preseason game, Wilson said he felt “great” and “strong,” adding that his calf injury was not a factor.

Asked Thursday about the long-term implications of Wilson’s new calf injury, Tomlin simply said, “None.” He also downplayed the injury’s significance to the team’s game plan for Sunday’s season opener against the Falcons.

“It really doesn’t affect the game planning at all, to be honest,” he said.

If Wilson can’t go, Justin Fields, who beat out Wilson for the starting job, would start in his place. Tomlin expressed confidence in the former Bears first-round pick.

“If that’s the case, I’m certainly fine with that,” Tomlin said.

Wilson’s injury during training camp has given Fields additional experience playing with the first-team offense, which could come in handy if he has to fill in for Wilson.

“I don’t know what it is or what’s going on, but Russ is obviously a great competitor,” wide receiver Van Jefferson said. “He wants to be there. If Justin needs to be there, he’s more than willing to do it.

“But at the end of the day, we’re just going to go out there and play. Whoever comes out, the job still has to get done. So both quarterbacks are capable of that on Sunday and we’re just going to keep going with whoever comes out.”