Player: QB Russell Wilson
Stock Value: Down
Reasoning: While we don’t know if Russell Wilson’s calf tightness is anything concerning, it is a valuable reminder. The calf injury he suffered at the start of training camp is something that can linger for some time. Even assuming he plays on Sunday, this could be an ongoing issue for weeks, even months to come.
The Steelers went so hard for Russell Wilson this offseason that Kenny Pickett decided to leave town. Now we’re not even sure if Wilson has two legs to stand on, one limited by an injured calf. After dealing with the issue since the start of training camp, he experienced calf tightness in yesterday’s practice.
The messaging from the team is calming and unbothered, but national sources paint a more nuanced picture. While it’s still early, staples like Adam Schefter call Wilson’s Sunday availability into question. Considering he hasn’t even played a game yet, it’s fair to say things could be going better.
We should know later today how much there is to worry about on the immediate horizon, though. If Wilson practices fully today, he should be a safe bet to play on Sunday. Even if he doesn’t, he could still play. But whether he does or doesn’t, that doesn’t mean the worries are over.
Calf injuries can linger for some time, especially for a quarterback like Russell Wilson who relies on his mobility. If he can’t reposition the pocket and make plays off-script, he is going to be limited. In the event that his calf presents that problem, the Steelers will have a decision to make.
Namely, at what point is a diminished Russell Wilson a lesser option than playing Justin Fields? It’s not like we’re talking about the Bengals deciding between Joe Burrow and Jake Browning. The Steelers have 35-year-old Wilson, he of three consecutive losing records, fending off Fields.
One can only hope that this is just a blip on the radar and we won’t have to think about Russell Wilson’s calf again for as long as we live. I’ve certainly had my fill of wondering how it’s doing over the past month or so. I’m sure you have as well.
As the season progresses, Steelers players’ stocks rise and fall. The nature of the evaluation differs with the time of year, with in-season considerations being more often short-term. Considerations in the offseason often have broader implications, particularly when players lose their jobs, or the team signs someone. This time of year is full of transactions, whether minor or major.
A bad game, a new contract, an injury, a promotion—any number of things affect a player’s value. Think of it as a stock on the market, based on speculation. You’ll feel better about a player after a good game, or worse after a bad one. Some stock updates are minor, while others are likely to be quite drastic, so bear in mind the degree. I’ll do my best to explain the nature of that in the reasoning section of each column.
