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With running back Le’Veon Bell still on a holdout with less than a week before the new NFL season kicks off, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that he won’t be there on the field when his team takes on the Cleveland Browns this coming Sunday. Instead, second-year halfback James Conner is now the man atop the position depth chart, raring to take handoffs from Ben Roethlisberger as the No. 1 running back against the Browns, per Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Even if Bell reports on Wednesday and practices immediately, it looks as though James Conner will get the start at halfback Sunday in Cleveland.
As an understudy to Bell in 2017, Conner managed just 144 rushing yards on 32 carries. The former Pittsburgh Panthers star, however, has taken full advantage of Bell’s absence in the offseason, as he has worked his way into getting close to a universal recognition from his teammates, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Steelers reaction on Bell ranged from loyal to indifferent. One thing was clear: Teammates backing James Conner big time. “Conner has busted his a–,” OG Ramon Foster said. “When you're ready, you're ready. He's ready.”
This is not an entirely new scenario for Conner. A year ago, Bell also had a holdout that only ended six days before the start of Week 1. That being said, today’s version of Conner is more experienced and someone who’s gained the confidence not only of his teammates but of his coaches as well. In other words, it wouldn’t be that iffy for the Steelers to start the former third-round pick once the regular season rolls around because now, they know what they’re getting from Conner.
