How long is Russell Wilson out? Calf injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Steelers QB

The Steelers are out to a 1-0 start to the 2024 NFL season but things have not gone exactly as planned.

In March, Pittsburgh signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal with hopes that the former Super Bowl winner could bring stability to the franchise's QB room. While Wilson was named QB1 ahead of the Steelers' season opener, he was scratched from the Week 1 lineup due to a lingering calf issue and appears unlikely to play in Week 2.

Wilson's calf issue dates back to the beginning of Pittsburgh's training camp, a concerning timeline for a 35-year-old QB.

As he works to return to the field for his Steelers debut, here is the latest on Wilson and what it means for his team moving forward.

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What is Russell Wilson's injury?

Wilson's injury is being designated as calf tightness. He has declined to specify which calf is hurt.

Wilson is believed to have first aggravated his calf as training camp got underway. He told reporters that he injured his calf as part of a conditioning test where players were pushing a sled.

While he said the injury was "nothing too serious," Wilson was limited during training camp before playing in two of Pittsburgh's three preseason games. Wilson was 10-of-12 for 73 yards during his brief time on the field.

Ahead of Week 1, Wilson reportedly told teammates he was ready to play, but the Steelers training staff did not clear him. While Wilson was ruled inactive, he was in uniform as Pittsburgh's emergency QB in its win over Atlanta.

With Pittsburgh preparing to face Denver in Week 2, Wilson said "I feel like I'm getting closer and closer" to returning before adding "I'm just trying to be smart and got to do a lot of work today on the field and everything else, throwing and all that, so just trying to be smart."

Despite that, the Steelers listed Wilson as inactive for their game against the Broncos in Week 2.

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How long is Russell Wilson out?

The Steelers have not given an injury timeline but the latest updates from head coach Mike Tomlin suggest Wilson's availability is week-to-week.

Tomlin said that Wilson's health for Week 2 is a "big if," adding that "speculation is a waste of time" as he shared that the team is preparing as if Justin Fields will be QB1 for a second consecutive week. 

"I just visited with [Wilson]," Tomlin said Tuesday. "He feels better today than he did over the weekend. What that means, I don't know as we sit here today. I know that we're going to take the same approach that we take with a lot of people in terms of injury. We'll first start with his participation and his level of participation, his quality of participation.

"Over the course of the week, we'll be analyzing whether he's capable of protecting himself, whether he's capable of being productive. When we get to those points, that's when we'll ponder his inclusion or not, and when that happens, it will probably be a component of that equation."

Based on Tomlin's assertion, Wilson needed to check several boxes in his rehabilitation to be cleared to return to the field as the Steelers starter. That didn't happen, and Wilson was ruled inactive for Week 2.

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Pittsburgh Steelers schedule 2024

After traveling to face the Broncos, the Steelers return to Pittsburgh for their home opener in Week 3. Pittsburgh has a midseason bye in Week 9.