good evening I'm Mike Norris and you're watching tune in news TV tonight we bring you a developing story from the world of professional football as the Pittsburgh Steelers face uncertainty at the quarterback position just days before their season opener despite being named the starting quarterback only a week ago Russell Wilson status for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons is now in question the veteran signal caller aggravated a injury during Thursday's practice casting doubt on his availability for the season opener Wilson addressed the media today expressing optimism while remaining non-committal about his game status I just felt a little tight Wilson explained I wanted to be smart about it obviously we play the game on Sunday I'm hoping I get to be in it but I'm just trying to get ready to go the 35-year-old quarterback was limited in Friday's practice following the aggravation of the injury during an early individual period on Thursday Wilson declined to specify which calf was affected but assured reporters that additional evaluation revealed good news about the severity of the aggravation it wasn't something worse extremely worse or anything like that so that was good news Wilson stated I've got to be smart and obviously we're trying to play 20 to 21 games so I'm trying to play in all of them and that's kind of my mentality the Steelers have officially listed Wilson as questionable for Sunday's game if he's unable to play backup quarterback just Fields would get the start against the Falcons head coach Mike Tomlin has expressed confidence in fields ability to step up if called upon this injury setback has an interesting backstory Wilson initially sustained the calf injury on the eve of training camp during the team's new conditioning test when he took a rep hitting a sled as a result he missed significant practice time including 10 practices without throwing a pass in live team periods since sitting out the first preseason game when asked about any frustration regarding the circumstance surrounding his injury Wilson deflected focusing instead on the path forward listen I think the game of football is I've been very fortunate over my whole career to not have many injuries he said I think the most important thing though is just it's unfortunate but we respond right we got to react and respond and my head's up and I'm ready to do everything I can to be ready to go that's really my focus meanwhile Justin Fields is maintaining his usual preparation routine regardless of his position on the depth chart I have the same process every week Fields explained I learned my rookie year how fast things can change I remember my third game rookie season Andy Dalton was just running out of bounds and looked like a normal play and he tweaked his knee and then right then and there I was in so I always prepare like I'm a starter you just never know what can happen Fields confirmed that he took first team reps and team periods during Friday's practice though he had also been rotating in with the first team earlier in the week this additional work with the starting effect defensive line and skill players during training camp has given Fields confidence in his ability to lead the group if necessary on Sunday as we approach game day all eyes will be on Wilson's pregame warm-ups and the care he receives in the coming days the quarterback emphasized the importance of treatment in taking things day by day as he works towards being ready for Sunday's kickoff this situation adds an unexpected layer of intrigued to the Steeler season opener and could have significant implications for their offensive game plan against the falcon we'll continue to monitor this developing story and bring you any updates as they become available this is Mike Norris reporting for tune in news TV stay tuned for more breaking news and in-depth coverage of the NFL good night [Music]