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The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t just lose a game to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football, they also saw their starting running back leave the game with a lower leg injury.
James Conner hasn’t had the breakout performances he experiences earlier this season, but without Conner in the lineup the team has a backfield which consists of rookie Jaylen Samuels and veteran Stevan Ridley.
The good news, at least reported good news, is the early diagnosis of Conner’s injury is not the severe kind. This from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:
On #Steelers RB James Conner: My understanding is the injury is not to his ankle and not considered major at all. Coach Mike Tomlin called it a contusion and it seems like he'll be OK, based on early impressions. How much it swells will be telling.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 3, 2018
If you are like me, and have any general knowledge base regarding injuries, the fear you had when watching the replay of Conner’s injury (also the picture above the article) you saw what looked to be a high ankle sprain. Those injuries can take weeks, if not months, to fully heal, and for a running back it would be a devastating injury.
Don’t get this confused, the report isn’t stating Conner will be available for the team’s upcoming Week 14 game vs. the Raiders in Oakland, but if he is out any period of time it could be more of the short term, rather than long term.
Expect more information from Mike Tomlin during his weekly press conference on Tuesday, and stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding this story and others regarding the black-and-gold.