Steelers Lose Key Offensive Weapon to Injury That's Worse Than Originally Thought
The hits just keep on coming for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On top of losing back-to-back games to fall to 7-4-1, the Steelers learned Tuesday that running back James Conner will miss the next game — at least — with an ankle sprain.
#Steelers RB James Conner is out this week, coach Mike Tomlin tells reporters. The tests came back and showed it was more serious than their initial read. He now describes it as a sprain, not a contusion.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 4, 2018
Conner has been a revelation for the Steelers, thrust into the starting role at the start of the season to replace the best running back in the game, Le’Veon Bell, who was holding out.
Although his productivity has slowed down in recent weeks, Conner has had a spectacular season. Through 12 games, he has 909 yards rushing, which is fifth in the NFL.
Conner also has 52 receptions for 467 yards, and 13 touchdowns — 12 on the ground. His 12 rushing touchdowns are second in the NFL.
After topping 10 yards on the ground in five of his first eight games, Conner has failed to gain more than 65 yards in the last four games.
In the 24-17 loss to Denver on Nov. 25, Conner had a critical fumble late in the third quarter deep in Denver territory. Instead of Pittsburgh scoring to take the lead, Denver turned around and scored what proved to be the winning touchdown after the recovery.
In Sunday’s heartbreaking 33-30 loss to the Chargers, Conner was injured late in the fourth quarter after being tackled on a screen pass. Two plays later, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hit Conner’s replacement, Jaylen Samuels, with a 10-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 30 with about 4 minutes left.
The Chargers went on to win the game with a last-second 29-yard field goal by Michael Badgley after the Steelers committed two consecutive offsides penalties to bring him 10 yards closer.
Fortunately for the Steelers, this week’s game is against the lowly Raiders, so they should be able to win without Conner. Of course, the Raiders gave the Chiefs a scare last week, losing 40-33, so nothing is a given.
Conner’s duties will fall to Samuels and another backup, Stevan Ridley. Samuels is a rookie out of North Carolina State who has seen little action, with just 31 yards on 12 carries. He also has seven catches for 54 yards.
Ridley has just 56 yards on 18 carries this season. The eight-year veteran had a 1,253-yard season with the Patriots in 2012. Trey Edmunds, who was called up from the practice squad, is also expected to see action.
“We’ve got a great deal of confidence in Ridley; we’ve got a great deal of confidence in Jaylen — particularly as of late with Jaylen. He’s a guy that’s been on the rise in recent weeks,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, according to ESPN.
“Trey’s a guy who’s played some pro football. We were excited about getting him on our practice squad when we acquired him. We’ll put him in uniform and give him an opportunity to be a contributor as well,” Tomlin added.
Conner’s status beyond this weekend is uncertain. Tomlin said Tuesday that the injury is “more significant” than the team originally thought.
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown hopes Conner has a speedy recovery but knows it’s next man up.
“Every guy in a helmet is upholding the standard, and anyone can be the reason we win,” Brown said, according to ESPN.
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