The Pittsburgh Steelers were thrown a curveball on Thursday ahead of Week 1 after quarterback Russell Wilson was forced to practice on a limited basis due to calf tightness.
Head coach Mike Tomlin revealed Wilson's issue after practice and noted that he was going to get checked out by a doctor. While he did say that it's not a long-term issue, the fact that Wilson is having a problem this late in the week could force him to sit.
Behind Wilson is former Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who will get the nod if Wilson doesn't play.
This begs the obvious question if you're thinking in fantasy football terms: how much of an impact will going from Wilson to Fields have on wide receiver George Pickens?
George Pickens fantasy football outlook
The biggest concern with going from Wilson to Fields is that the former is historically the better passer. Also, Fields will take off and run with the football more often than Wilson will, which would lessen the number of opportunities Pickens has to get the ball.
All that said, Fields has supported an elite fantasy receiver before in DJ Moore, who finished as WR6 overall last season, according to Fantasy Pros.
And, Fields proved to have excellent chemistry with Pickens during training camp and the preseason when Wilson was out due to calf tightness. There was zero question who Fields' No. 1 target was.
Another attractive thing about Pickens is the fact that he is so far and away the team's No. 1 receiver that he stands to get absolutely peppered with targets no matter who is under center.
Pickens remains a strong fantasy football play in Week 1, even if Fields starts. He's a borderline WR2 with upside.
