Pittsburgh @ Denver preview

Pittsburgh at Denver

Last Meeting ( Oct 10, 2021 ) Denver 19, Pittsburgh 27

Rather than the starring role in a Pittsburgh Steelers' revival, former Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson returns to Denver as an extra in the Week 2 game with an entirely different subplot than expected.

Justin Fields guided the Steelers (1-0) to an 18-10 win at Atlanta last week with Wilson out because of a calf injury. He will try to push Pittsburgh to 2-0 for the first time since 2020 as the road show continues at Denver (0-1). Fields rushed for 57 yards and completed 73.3 percent of his passes to defeat the Falcons after learning he could start three days before the regular-season opener.

"As I sit here today, we're preparing as if Justin is going to be our quarterback," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. "I think that's the appropriate way to do it. Speculation is a waste of time. Russell's hurt. He's not available to us."

Tomlin said on Friday that Wilson's status is questionable, and his chances of starting are even less, so the focus is on getting Fields ready to play.

Even if he stays on the sideline, the Broncos would thoroughly enjoy giving Wilson a certain brand of Mile High Salute on Sunday as they introduce rookie first-round pick Bo Nix to the home crowd. In a 26-20 loss to the Seahawks last week, Nix rushed for the Broncos' only touchdown but was intercepted twice in his NFL debut at Seattle.

The Broncos allowed a 34-yard touchdown run to Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith -- not known as a runner -- that might have Fields giddy.

Getting the ball downfield and finding more support -- in pass protection and from skill-position talent -- are critical components Broncos head coach Sean Payton said was lacking last week. Payton said pass protection was "average at best," a reversal from last season when he chided his veteran starter -- Wilson -- by saying sacks are a reflection of the quarterback. Wilson was sacked 100 times in two seasons with the Broncos.

"We need to be better around him and we will be," Payton said.

Denver ball carriers gained zero yards after contact in Week 1, which falls on the running backs and blockers from wide receiver to the offensive line.

"There's not one specific thing. The thing I continue to like is obviously his movement skills. Obviously it became a much more difficult game when it was third-and-long," Payton said. "We've got to be better on early downs."

To avoid starting the season 0-2 for the fourth time since 2019, the Broncos are crossing their fingers durable left tackle Garett Bolles can return from an ankle injury that sent him to the locker room in the opener.

Even with a mix of three-tight end and goal-line packages from first-year Steelers coordinator Arthur Smith, no problems arose pushing the ball deep with Fields outside of one long throw negated by George Pickens being flagged for offensive pass interference. Pickens had a 40-yard grab and averaged 14.2 yards per reception.

Avoiding Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II might be impossible, but coaches made it clear they're not eager to attack the high-paid cover man, even if Pickens pointed the finger back at his old SEC rival. Pickens played at Georgia and Surtain was an All-SEC corner at Alabama.

"I went up against Pat Surtain in college. So a lot of this stuff isn't new to me," Pickens said. "I just hope they have their plan correct."

Health could be a factor for the Steelers' offensive line. Starting right tackle Broderick Jones aligned at left tackle with Dan Moore (foot) out of practice Wednesday and Troy Fautanu working as the starter at right tackle. Moore has a chance to return late in the week.

Tomlin said Russell Wilson, who missed part of training camp with the same injury, felt better Tuesday than he did Sunday morning in an on-field workout pregame used to determine he wasn't able to go against Atlanta. But until he's fully cleared to participate, Pittsburgh plans to set sail with Fields.

Wilson was limited on Wednesday, a pre-planned conditioning day, and worked behind Kyle Allen as the No. 3 quarterback.

Payton said he will "plan for Fields" but prepare players to expect Wilson to be available.

"We're not playing tennis or golf. We're playing a team game. We're playing the Steelers," Payton said.

Help was plentiful for Fields at Atlanta. The Steelers controlled the ball with 41 rushing attempts for 137 yards and Fields was 9 of 13 on play-action passes, consistently operating with his feet set in a clean pocket. Pittsburgh pitched a second-half shutout on the road last week with two interceptions and outside linebacker T.J. Watt had a game-ending sack and forced a fumble.

Payton is 3-0 all-time against Tomlin and the Broncos are 5-1 at home against the Steelers under Tomlin. Pittsburgh has won 10 of its last 12 games when facing a rookie starting quarterback.

Wilson costs the Broncos a record $53 million cap charge in 2024 and another $32 million next season while he's making backup QB money for the Steelers on a one-year, $1.2 million contract. Wilson was benched late last season over a dispute with the Broncos about guarantees in his contract, then released in March. They traded five draft picks, two of them first-rounders, to acquire Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in 2022.

The Steelers listed Wilson as well as rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson (ankle) as questionable on Friday after they were limited at practice. Roman Wilson was carted off the field at training camp on July 30 and is recovering from a foot injury. Guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) did not practice and is out for Sunday's game.

The only Denver player with a game designation is rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele (ribs), ruled out after making eight catches for 39 yards in his NFL debut against Seattle.

--Field Level Media