ATLANTA — The first snap that Justin Fields handled Sunday was fumbled. He bobbled another exchange later in the opening series.

His first pass attempt was incomplete, and his second was behind running back Najee Harris.

Not the kind of start that Fields envisioned when he was summoned to start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers after Russell Wilson was scratched because of his lingering calf injury.

Fields regrouped, though, and helped the Steelers open the season with an 18-10 victory against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“We definitely got off to a slow start, especially the first play,” Fields said. “Then, I missed a throw to Van (Jefferson). But after the first drive, I feel like we settled in a little bit and especially as the game went along, definitely settled in.”

Fields didn’t throw another incompletion in the first half, and he finished with 17 completions in 23 attempts for 156 yards. He also rushed for 57 yards on 14 attempts, averaging a team-high 4.1 yards per carry.

“It was nice having him back there to scramble a bunch and get first downs when things were breaking down,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said.

Fields got the start after Wilson tested his calf about two and a half hours before the game but did not receive clearance to play against the Falcons. Kyle Allen served as Fields’ backup, and Wilson was the emergency No. 3 quarterback.

“I always have the mentality of being ready,” Field said. “Anything can happen, so I have the mindset to be ready for anything.”

Before the game, Wilson warmed up by throwing passes to members of the equipment staff. Then, defensive back DeShon Elliott joined in as Wilson threw fades to the corner of each end zone. The session lasted 15 minutes, after which coach Mike Tomlin decided to go with Fields.

“I thought it was appropriate to put the healthy guys on the field,” Tomlin said. “I felt really good about both quarterbacks, and I was very clear when I named Russ that starter how comfortable I was with both quarterbacks.

“If that was true, why not be really comfortable playing Justin under the circumstances with Russ being in less-than-ideal physical shape? That was a thought process, and there wasn’t a lot of discussion. … I’m glad we’ve got two real capable quarterbacks.”

Wilson will have a week to heal before the Steelers play at Denver, where the 35-year-old veteran spent the past two seasons before signing with the Steelers.

Fields could head to the bench, or he could get another chance to start if Wilson’s injury doesn’t heal quickly.

“I’m not even worried about that,” Fields said. “I came in wanting to win, and I’m glad we’re leaving with a win.”

It was particularly sweet for Fields, who grew up in nearby Kennesaw, Ga.

“I had a bunch of family here and friends, old high school teammates,” Fields said. “Just the setting, I really couldn’t ask for it a better way.”

The start was the 39th in Fields’ career. He went 10-28 in three seasons with the Chicago Bears before the Steelers acquired him in return for a late-round draft pick. It came a day after the Steelers traded last year’s starter, Kenny Pickett, to Philadelphia and after Wilson’s one-year deal with the Steelers was announced.

Wilson injured his calf in a conditioning drill held on the eve of the first training camp workout. The injury kept him from practicing with the team for about two weeks, and he started the final two preseason games.

Wilson didn’t have a setback until Thursday when he was limited in practice. He also was limited Friday, with Fields taking the first-team snaps in team portions of practice

“Russ was very supportive today,” Tomlin said, “and that was appreciated.”

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