Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner is out for the team’s Week 14 matchup against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday due an ankle sprain. However, there’s a chance he can return to play in the big Week 15 showdown against the New England Patriots, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The source added that Conner could have played through the ankle injury this week if absolutely necessary, which seems to indicate that the injury is not particularly serious.
Conner suffered what some believe to be a high ankle sprain during the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s loss to the Chargers. He finished the game with 15 carries for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
With Conner out, the Steelers will be counting on a committee of rookie Jaylen Samuels, Stevan Ridley, and Trey Edmunds at running back against the Raiders.
Conner has been a revelation for the Steelers this season as he’s performed at a high level in place of Le’Veon Bell. The second-year back has rushed for 909 yards and 12 touchdowns, the second-most in the NFL, this season. He has also added 52 receptions for 467 yards.
After back-to-back losses, the Steelers’ status atop the AFC North looks perilous. They can’t afford to drop too many more games if they want to win the division. Aside from the Patriots, they still have the Saints on the road and the Bengals at home, which is a tough final stretch of the season.
Having Conner back by Week 15 against the Patriots will obviously give them a better shot at winning those games, so they will be hoping he returns that soon.
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