One of the most eagerly awaited revenge matchups in the 2024 NFL season is uncertain.

When the NFL schedule was released in May, many fans marked the Week 2 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos as a highlight. This matchup would see Russell Wilson face Sean Payton, just six months after Wilson was unexpectedly let go, following a tumultuous two-year period with the team.

However, due to a calf injury that forced him to miss the Steelers’ season opener, Wilson may also be sidelined for this highly anticipated game on Sunday.

Here’s what we currently know about Wilson’s condition and the Steelers’ quarterback situation:

Russell Wilson injury updates: Current outlook for the QB

On Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced that the team is preparing as if Justin Fields will start against the Broncos. On Friday, Tomlin left the possibility of Wilson playing open by labeling him as questionable, though his comments suggested that Fields is the likely starter.

“If his availability is in question, then starting him is much less likely,” Tomlin informed reporters. “We’ve been focused on getting Justin (Fields) ready all week, and that will continue as we approach game time.”

Wilson has expressed hope this week about potentially returning to action soon.

“I feel like I’m getting closer every day,” Wilson said on Thursday, as reported by ESPN. “I’m being smart about it and focusing on my performance on the field, including throwing and everything else, just trying to be careful.”

If he isn’t fully fit, Wilson could still serve as the emergency quarterback in case of need.

Fields played well against Atlanta, completing 17 of 23 passes for 153 yards, but the Steelers had to settle for six field goals in their 18-10 victory.

Revisiting Russell Wilson’s time with the Broncos

Wilson was released by the Broncos in March, just ahead of the deadline where his 2025 salary of $37 million would have been guaranteed. His $39 million salary for the current year was already secured.

By parting ways with Wilson, the Broncos faced an unprecedented $85 million dead cap hit.

Wilson joined Denver with much anticipation in March 2022 after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks for three players and a mix of draft picks, including two first-round and two second-round picks. Unfortunately, his first season was filled with challenges as the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback recorded a career-low passer rating of 84.4, and first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett was dismissed in December after a 4-11 record.

The following season, Payton took over and critiqued how the team had previously managed Wilson. While Wilson’s performance improved, Payton benched him for the last two games of the season. The coach insisted the benching was purely a football decision, but reports later surfaced that the team spoke to Wilson during a midseason bye about reshaping his contract to postpone the full guarantee of his injury benefits for 2025.