Related items

• Steelers to start QB Fields with Wilson hurt

  Russell Wilson's injured calf will keep him out of Sunday's season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, making Justin Fields the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

  The Steelers had named Wilson the team's starting quarterback but the 12-year NFL veteran aggravated a calf injury this past week that had side-lined him earlier in training camp.

  He had tried to warmup up before Pittsburgh's game at Atlanta before the team ultimately decided to make him the emergency quarterback.

  As the emergency QB, he can only take the field if Fields and backup Kyle Allen both get injured.

   

  The Steelers acquired Fields from the Chicago Bears in March for a conditional draft pick. 

  The pick will be a sixth-rounder unless Fields plays 51 percent of the snaps this season for Pittsburgh, then it will become a fourth-rounder.

  Fields made 38 starts and appeared in 40 games for Chicago since he was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 draft. He completed 60.3 percent of his passes with 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions and added 14 rushing scores.

  The 35-year-old Wilson, a Super Bowl XLVIII champion with the Seattle Seahawks, joined the Steelers a week before they made the trade for Fields after two disappointing seasons with the Denver Broncos.

• Reports: Jordan Love to miss 3-6 weeks with MCL sprain

  Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain, multiple media outlets reported Saturday, and he is expected to return this season.

  NFL Network reported that the Packers’ initial timetable for Love’s return is three to six weeks.

  The team will reportedly seek a second opinion to be sure.

  The only other active quarterback on Green Bay’s roster is Malik Willis, who was acquired via trade from the Tennessee Titans less than two weeks ago. Former fifth-round draft pick Sean Clifford is on the practice squad.

  Love was injured on the penultimate play of the Packers’ 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday.

  Love was 17 of 34 for 260 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in the Packers’ season opener in São Paulo.

  Green Bay hosts the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Sept. 15, followed by games at Tennessee and against the Minnesota Vikings.

  Entering his second season as the Packers’ starter, Love signed a four-year, $220million contract extension this summer.

  Filling the shoes of the departed Aaron Rodgers, Love threw for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season, leading the Packers to a 9-8 regular season and a play-off win over the Dallas Cowboys.

• Sirianni excited by 'playmaker' Barkley after stellar Eagles debut

  Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is excited to see what comes next from Saquon Barkley after he scored three touchdowns on a memorable debut for the team on Friday.

  Barkley shone as the Eagles started the season with a 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFL's first international game to take place in Sao Paulo.

  The former New York Giants back rushed for two touchdowns and caught a Jalen Hurts pass for another, becoming the first player to score three touchdowns on his Eagles debut since Terrell Owens in 2004.

  Barkley finished with 109 rushing yards and 23 receiving off two catches, including a terrific 18-yard reception for his first score – the first touchdown to be scored in South America.

  Sirianni hailed the two-time Pro Bowler's influence after the win, saying: "We are so excited to have him. He made some huge, huge plays throughout this entire game.

  "He made it in the pass game. He made plays in the run game. He made some huge plays in critical moments and scored a bunch of touchdowns.

  "To have him on our football team means a lot. [General manager] Howie [Roseman] did a great job of putting this team together. 

  "He's a playmaker and he's a great leader and a great person. People feed off his energy and so you could feel all of that, not only in the plays he was making but the energy he had."

  Barkley, meanwhile, was delighted to make NFL history as he became the first player to score a touchdown on three different continents, having previously done so in London with the Giants in 2022.

  "I'm the first person to ever score in South America!" Barkley said. "That's cool. I'm definitely trying to get the game ball and that's something to hang up and put in my house.

  "The O-line played great. That's a big reason why I wanted to come to Philly when I had the opportunity and why it was a no-brainer for me. 

  "We still have a lot to improve on, including myself. So, it meant a lot to come out here and take advantage of the opportunity to be the first team to play in South America. Not only just play, but to take care of business and get the W too."