Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Fields Shines While Russell Wilson Is Hampered
Justin Fields is having the kind of start to training camp he wanted, while Russell Wilson is not.
Fields has been taking first-team reps for the Steelers since Russell Wilson suffered a calf injury on the first day of camp. Wilson has been at camp, but the Steelers have been cautious with his workload so far.
There has been no indication from Head Coach Mike Tomlin that Wilson won't be the starting quarterback Week 1. However, Fields has played well according to new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who is intrigued by Fields' dual threat as a runner and thrower.
"He's a dangerous football player with the ball in his hands," Smith said via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It allows you to get creative. Maybe you change up a little bit of a defensive game plan for him. Certainly, he adds a different element."
Smith has challenged Fields to take shots downfield and avoid settling for safe throws. George Pickens and Van Jefferson have made several deep connections with Fields during practices.
"Sometimes we're asking him to be aggressive, even in 7-on-7. You have to try to in practice," Smith said. "Nobody wants to see negative plays or if he just checks down. We got to see what he can really do and what he can see in the pocket and all that stuff. Him having more reps is accelerating that process."
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow Looks 'Really Good' in Bengals' Camp
Joe Burrow is also benefiting greatly from getting reps in camp.
When Burrow entered the league in 2020, the Bengals' training camp wasn't normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Burrow began training camp still recovering from a season-ending torn ACL. In 2022, he had appendicitis in camp that interfered with his preparation, and last year Burrow injured his right calf on the second day of camp.
This has been Burrow's first "normal" training camp, and Head Coach Zac Taylor thinks that's important, even for a quarterback of Burrow's caliber.
"He did not practice a day in August last year," Taylor said via Dan Graziano of ESPN. "He practiced two days in July, and then he came back the game week of Cleveland. That was his first real practice. So to be able to get however many practices we're getting in August is just such a game-changer in terms of the comfort of moving in the pocket and the chemistry with the receivers and seeing these coverages and communication. It's just night and day when you're standing in the back talking it through with guys versus actually doing it. The comfort level is on a whole different level."
Taylor said Burrow looked fully recovered from last year's season-ending injury to his throwing wrist. However, they'll be some off days planned for Burrow to be safe.
"He looks really good," Taylor said. "He looks like the guy that I know. Now it's just my job to manage him early in camp, even when he says, 'I feel great, I want to go.'"
Cleveland Browns: Jerry Jeudy Finding Quick Chemistry With Deshaun Watson
Wide receiver Jeudy missed mandatory minicamp in June and the first few days of training camp with an undisclosed injury. However, since returning to practice, Jeudy has been a consistent target for quarterback Deshaun Watson and the two have established quick chemistry.
"Deshaun throw a nice ball," Jeudy said via Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. "I've been watching Deshaun since he was in college, he always threw a nice ball. I'm excited to see what we do this year."
The Browns traded fifth and sixth-round draft picks to the Denver Broncos in March to acquire Jeudy to join Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore in their wide receiver rotation. Jeudy was the 15th overall pick in the 2020, but he never cracked 1,000 yards during his four seasons in Denver playing with six different starting quarterbacks.
Jeudy's best season in Denver came in 2022 (67 catches, 972 yards, six touchdowns) and he's only 25 years old. Head Coach Kevin Stefanski believes Jeudy's best seasons are ahead.
"Jerry's been a really fun addition to this group," Stefanski said. "I think he does an outstanding job in the meeting room, on the practice field, has a great attitude, works very hard. Obviously, we're excited to get him back out there and full speed and working with his teammates, but he fits in with us how we operate. We're excited to have him."
