Justin Fields designated as Steelers ‘emergency’ QB vs. Giants because of hamstring injury

Justin Fields was the starting quarterback as recently as Oct. 13 in Las Vegas. He was the backup to Russell Wilson the next week, and for Monday night’s game against the New York Giants, he was designated to serve as the “emergency” No. 3.

Fields was officially deemed an inactive for Monday Night Football because of a hamstring injury suffered late in the Steelers’ practice week. The Steelers announced his ailment Sunday, a day after the final league-mandated status report of the week was released. Fields was initially given a questionable tag to play Monday, but he was only available in case of injury to both starter Russell Wilson and promoted No. 2 Kyle Allen.

Acquired in a March trade with the Chicago Bears, Fields went 4-2 as a starter while Wilson nursed a calf injury the first month and a half of the season. Wilson made his first start for the Steelers during the Oct. 20 win against the New York Jets.

Henderson inactive

Veteran cornerback C.J. Henderson was the Steelers’ lone healthy scratch against the Giants. Henderson was added to the active roster over the past week, the impetus for the move that another team was interested in signing him off the Steelers’ practice squad.

The No. 9 overall pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2000, Henderson joined the Steelers’ practice squad Sept. 25.

The Steelers had previously announced that starting center Zach Frazier (ankle), outside linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) and kick returner/running back Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle).

Frazier has now missed two games, Herbig three and Patterson four.