Steelers QB goes on injury list before Giants game in huge blow

Quarterback Justin Fields has been added to the Pittsburgh Steelers injury report ahead of Monday’s game against the New York Giants.

Backup Russell Wilson is dealing with a hamstring issue, which shouldn’t be a major problem for Pittsburgh after being demoted last week. Now the Steelers welcome a team from New York in prime time for the second week in a row when the Giants visit Monday night.

The Steelers (5-2) started Wilson for the first time this season last Sunday night. The former Super Bowl champion guided Pittsburgh to a 37-15 victory over the New York Jets. The Steelers scored the final 31 points of the game when Wilson, who missed the start of the season with a calf injury, threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-29 passing and added a rushing score.

Wilson played quite well starting the first six games of the season. Head coach Mike Tomlin was as cagey as ever this week when he said he “refuses to acknowledge any changes in Fields’ role.”

But Tomlin questioned whether Wilson would start against the Giants, saying, “He’s scheduled for first-team reps (Wednesday) and we’ll see where the week takes us.”

Najee Harris racked up more than 100 rushing yards and a touchdown in back-to-back weeks for the Steelers.

“What I keep telling Harris every game is just keep bringing your stuff, bring your stuff,” said Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, who knows what it’s like to compete against Harris from his previous four seasons with the Ravens. “No one wants to tackle you… No one wants to spend four quarters doing that, at least I know that.”

The Giants (2-5) have scored a total of 10 points during their current two-game skid, but there will be no major changes on offense. The same can also be said about the team’s long-term leadership.

Giants co-owner John Mara said this week that he has no plans to fire coach Brian Daboll or general manager Joe Schoen this season or offseason.

Still, things are looking bad after the Giants followed a 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals with a 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, both coming home. Quarterback Daniel Jones threw for a season-low 99 yards and was sacked seven times by the Eagles before Drew Lock replaced him to finish the game.

Daboll insisted the next day that Jones remains the starter in New York. Jones didn’t like being pulled, but met with Daboll on their usual schedule to review the game and make targeted improvements.

“I think you get some things out of it that you try to learn from. But does it change or is it completely different because he pulled me out of the game? No, it’s not,” Jones said. “We all have to play better, I have to play better and that’s what I’m focusing on.”

Russell Wilson #3 looks on with Justin Fields #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA offseason training at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex

Jones said he focused last week on what lies ahead and what passes. When asked if Daboll gave him any assurances about his role, Jones said the head coach told the team last week that was the case.

“I think he told the team after the game that I was the starter for the future. So I’m going to continue preparing to play and play well all week. But in terms of his plans… it’s a better question for him,” Jones said.

The Giants fell despite rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers playing for the first time in three weeks due to a concussion. The blossoming star had four catches for 41 yards and has 39 receptions for 427 yards and three touchdowns in just five games this season. Teammate Wan’Dale Robinson ranks fifth in the league in receptions (43) for just 303 yards and two scores.

The Steelers, who rank second in the NFL in scoring defense at 14.4 points per game, will be especially wary of Nabers’ sixth draft pick.

“He attacks the ball when it’s in the air, he makes competitive plays,” Tomlin said. …”Those guys who get a chance to hug Roger Goodell (on stage at the NFL draft), they have some real tangible things and intangible things.”

The Giants boast the league’s sack leader in Dexter Lawrence II, who has nine sacks for 65 yards. TJ Watt has a team-high 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles for the Steelers and could feed into a New York O-line that is allowed 22 sacks, third most in the league.

“I would say he’s incredible,” Daboll said. …”You look at his tape and all the turnovers he has and the style he plays with. I mean, he’s one of the best players in the league.

Justin Fields, right, runs past Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson for a touchdown

Veteran running back Cordarrelle Patterson is listed as questionable and rookie center Zach Frazier has been ruled out for the Steelers due to ankle injuries.

The Steelers (5-2) will also be without outside linebacker Nick Herbig and rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson due to hamstring issues. Linebacker Tyler Matakevich (hamstring) and offensive tackle Dylan Cook (foot) are each in the 21-day window to return from injured reserve and are out against the Giants (2-5).

Patterson, 33, was a limited practice participant on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. He hasn’t played since September 29 in a 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. A running back and wide receiver, he has one start in four games and has 16 carries for 92 yards and five receptions for 34 yards.

Patterson is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time All-Pro first-team kick returner. He is in his first season with Pittsburgh after playing for the Minnesota Vikings (2013-16), Oakland Raiders (2017), New England Patriots (2018), Chicago Bears (2019-20) and Atlanta Falcons (2021-23 ).

Frazier, 23, a 2024 NFL second-round selection out of West Virginia, has started six games and played 95 percent of the offensive snaps (378). He missed last Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

Herbig, 22, will miss his third straight game. He has played in five games (two starts) this season and has eight tackles and 2.5 sacks. He is in his second season with the Steelers.

Wilson, 23, a third-round pick in the 2024 draft out of Michigan, has played in one game this season.