Even after the loss to the Colts, Justin Fields is committed to remaining the Steelers’ starting quarterback

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Even if Justin Fields’ original plan goes awry, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback finds a way to prove he should stay ahead of Russell Wilson on the depth chart.

Fields did it again The 27:24 defeat on Sunday in Indianapolis.

Despite being sacked four times, losing a fumble and blaming himself for a botched snap in the final two minutes that led to a game-winning turnover on downs, Fields ran for two scores and added another goal in the second half to cut the 17-0 deficit to three points with 3:40 left in the second half.

It wasn’t enough to recover from a slow start in Pittsburgh’s first loss of the season.

“It’s something we can control,” Fields said. “It comes out on game day and is executed. Nothing more than that. It’s not complicated. At the end of the day we feel like we have defeated ourselves. We knew we were shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Many observers believe Fields has done enough to become Pittsburgh’s starter opposite Wilson, who is recovering from a calf injury and was the third emergency quarterback on Sunday.

Fields has completed 70.6% of his throws for 830 yards with three TD passes and one interception for a passer rating of 98.0.

Despite it, Coach Mike Tomlin was cautious about an announcement. This week he also said he would not make a decision until necessary. At the moment it is not.

Although Tomlin liked the resilience Fields showed on Sunday — he completed 22 of 34 passes for 312 yards, including five for 20 yards or more, while leading the Steelers with 55 yards rushing and 10 carries — he didn’t give Fields any points its use.

“I appreciate his fight, but I won’t congratulate him for it. That’s the nature of the business we’re in,” Tomlin said. “I appreciate his fight, but he and I were a little careless at times, too careless to achieve a victory.”

On third-and-10 from Indy’s 33-yard line in the third quarter, Fields tried to evade the oncoming pass rush by climbing backwards before turning to make a throw and fumbling around. Indy recovered at the Steelers 39 and thwarted the scoring opportunity.

Then there was the botched snap that cost the Steelers 12 crucial yards on their final possession. Pittsburgh never recovered from a second-and-22 and turned the ball over on downs. Afterward, Fields said he shouldn’t have turned his head as he raised his leg to indicate it was time to snap the ball.

Now all he can do is play well and hope Tomlin rewards him for it.

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