James Conner expected to make full recovery following minor surgery

James Conner, one of the league’s top remaining free agents, recently underwent minor surgery. He visits with the Arizona Cardinals Monday.

Former Steelers running back James Conner recently underwent surgery, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported. The surgery was to repair a turf-toe type injury that he sustained while riding a recreational vehicle.

One of the league’s top remaining free agents, Conner is expected to make a full recovery by training camp.

The Arizona Cardinals seem optimistic that the injury won’t be an issue going forward. Conner will have a physical while visiting with the team Monday.

[vertical-gallery id=486326]

[listicle id=488571]

4 potential landing spots for James Conner in free agency

James Conner will test free agency in March. Steelers Wire previews potential landing spots.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II said that James Conner will be a free agent in March, so it appears that the team has no intention to re-sign him.

Steelers fans know that Conner isn’t exactly the most durable back in the NFL. Since he was selected in the third round of the 2017 draft, Conner has yet to play a full season.

He enjoyed a breakout 973-yard, 12-touchdown season in 2018, when the Steelers had the top offensive line in the NFL, and Le’Veon Bell held out. Since then, Conner’s production has left much to be desired. He has not proven to be the bell cow Mike Tomlin touted him as this offseason.

[listicle id=486780]

Some attributes that will help Conner find a landing spot are his ability to block and talent a receiver out of the backfield (963 career receiving yards).

I’d be shocked if Conner goes anywhere as a starter — he seems the best fit on a team with a rotational system.

Here are some potential landing spots for Conner in free agency.

In what are likely James Conner’s final days as a Steeler: ‘I’m giving everything I got to this team’

Though his future in Pittsburgh is uncertain, Conner is focused on the present.

Though there’s no telling where Steelers running back James Conner will end up next season, he’s doing just what he should at this point in the season: Focus on the opponent at hand.

“It’s playoff football. I’m giving everything I got to this team,” he said in a press conference on Friday. “I can’t control anything about my future.”

“I’m just being where my feet are, taking it one day at a time. The rest is in God’s hands.”

Conner, Pittsburgh’s third-round selection in the 2017 NFL draft, is one of 27 Steelers who will hit free agency in March.

His 721 yards rushing and six touchdowns are the second-best of his career.

[vertical-gallery id=484928]

[listicle id=484847]

Steelers RB James Conner appears ready to roll this week

Though it’s unknown what his status will be Sunday, Steelers running back James Conner was a full practice participant Thursday and Friday.

Although it remains to be seen how the Steelers will use him on Sunday, Steelers running back James Conner (ankle) practiced fully on Thursday and Friday and was not given an injury designation.

Conner exited the Giants game Monday night after gaining just nine yards on six carries. He also had two receptions on four targets, one for a first down.

It was reported Tuesday that he avoided a high ankle sprain, an injury with which he missed three late-season games in 2018.

“I’ve just got to be there for my teammates, keep trending in the right direction, and we’ll see what happens on Sunday,” Conner said in a Friday press conference.

Conner gave props to two of those teammates, Benny Snell, Jr. and Jaylen Samuels. “They’ve been playing huge,” he said. “I’m not really a selfish guy. Having the starting label, I want to be out there and just compete.”

The running back shared that he can’t pinpoint exactly when the injury occurred Monday night. Conner added that he wasn’t able to put pressure on his ankle and that “something didn’t feel right.”

Now in his fourth season, Conner has had his share of injury issues in the past. He did say, however, that this was not a re-aggravation of a past injury.

Special Week 2 Promotion! Bet $1, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either the Denver Broncos or Pittsburgh Steelers score a touchdown in their Week 1 game. Place your legal, online sports bets in IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

[vertical-gallery id=463887]

[lawrence-related id=476373]

3 Steelers Who Need To Step Up In Week 12

Three Steelers that can give the Steelers offense a boost.

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

With the Steelers defense shaking out to be one of the best in the NFL, the offense will need to increase it’s production if the Steelers are going to grab an AFC wildcard spot. This week the offense will be down two pro bowlers as JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner will sit out against the lowly Cincinnati Bengals. Here are three Steelers that need to step up and help Mason Rudolph put points on the board this week in Cincinnati:

WR James Washington

It’s well known that Washington and Rudolph were teammates at Oklahoma State University so the lack of a connection between the two has been somewhat surprising in 2019. Washington seems to be on the verge of a breakout performance every week, but a landmark performance hasn’t been in the cards for the second-year wideout. Washington led the team in targets, receptions and yards two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Rams. He also scored the Steelers lone offensive touchdown. But a lost fumble late in that game seemed to stymie Washington’s growth and confidence.

Last week against the Browns he only had three receptions for a team-high 49 receiving yards on five targets. Washington has good game speed and while he isn’t the biggest receiver, he has a knack for making big plays downfield. Look for him to bounce back against a Bengals defense that is 24thin passing yards surrendered.