The Pittsburgh Steelers already have enough injuries to worry about with veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger going down for the season, but one bit of good news appeared on Monday with running back James Conner stating he is healthy to play next week.

With the Steelers slated to play the 2-0 San Francisco 49ers in California, they will need all the help they can get from starting rusher Conner, the 24-year-old local product from Pitt who made his first Pro-Bowl appearance last year during the 2018 season when he essentially replaced the held-out Le'Veon Bell.

Conner reportedly told Pittsburgh sports radio he is “confident” he will play on Sunday, per 93,7 the Fan's sports director Jeff Hathhorn on Twitter.

Hathhorn adds that Conner did not tear anything significant in his knee.

Conner had left the Steelers' Week 2 bout with the Seattle Seahawks, a losing effort, with an undisclosed knee injury. The 6-foot-1 rusher was listed questionable but did not return to play the fourth quarter.

Conner has been a vital part of Pittsburgh's offense in the last two years. His ascension saw a new reliable playmaker in the backfield for the Steelers, including a 973-yard 2018 season for the former third-round selection and 12 rushing touchdowns.

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The Steelers, though, will turn their attention to second-year quarterback Mason Rudolph against the 49ers in the wake of Roethlisberger's season-ending elbow injury.

Rudolph did not appear in a game last season for Pittsburgh after the AFC North franchise selected the Oklahoma State product in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. But a quick 0-2 start for the Steelers would be immediately remedied should Rudolph, with a healthy Conner in the backfield, demonstrate competency for the remainder of the season as Roethlisberger's successor or adequate substitute.

That pursuit of quality begins against the 49ers on Sunday.