Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is inactive for Pittsburgh’s Week 8 game against the visiting New York Giants on “Monday Night Football.”
Kyle Allen will back up Russell Wilson, who is making his second straight start after Fields started the Steelers’ first six games.
Fields (hamstring) popped up on Sunday’s injury report and was listed as questionable for Monday despite being a full participant in practice all of last week. He tested his hamstring during pregame warmups before being ruled out. He’ll serve as Pittsburgh’s emergency quarterback against the Giants (2-5).
NFL Network reported that Fields’ injury is not major, but the Steelers (5-2) are being cautious with the 25-year-old as the team enters its bye week following Monday’s game.
Fields competed with Wilson for the starting job throughout the summer in each veteran’s first season with Pittsburgh. Wilson was named QB1 before the season opener, but a lingering calf injury resurfaced and kept him inactive for the Steelers’ first five games.
Pittsburgh went 3-2 with Fields under center during that span and stuck with the fourth-year veteran in Week 6 even after Wilson was activated. The Steelers won 32-13 at Las Vegas that week despite Fields completing just 14 of 24 passes for 145 yards.
Pittsburgh’s offense was pedestrian at best with Fields at the controls. The Steelers ranked 28th in passing and 20th in points through Week 6, prompting them to give Wilson a shot.
The 35-year-old started Pittsburgh’s Week 7 game against the visiting New York Jets and flourished in his team debut. The 13th-year veteran threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns to go along with a rushing score as the Steelers set their season-high scoring mark in a 37-15 win.
Pittsburgh enters Monday’s contest with a half-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.
The Steelers will also be without running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle), center Zach Frazier (ankle) and linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring). Cornerback C.J. Henderson is also inactive.
The Giants are without cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson (neck) and Cor’Dale Flott (groin).
