James Conner is a Pro Bowler, but will he be healthy enough to play Sunday?
James Conner constructed a Pro Bowl season based on his body of work over the first 12 games of his first year as an NFL starter.
For the third consecutive week, however, it looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers running back won’t add to seasonal resume.
Conner has missed the past two games with a high ankle sprain, and after sitting out practice Wednesday, he didn’t sound optimistic about returning Sunday when the Steelers visit the New Orleans Saints in a game that could clinch the AFC North title.
“I’m trying, man,” Conner said. “It’s day by day. These high ankle sprained are deceiving. I can walk around fine. I’m not limping. When I’m out on the field, cutting and stuff, I’m not ready yet. It’s a reason there are 53 guys on the team.
“I want to go, but if I’m not feeling like me, then I wouldn’t be James Conner. I’m not going out there less than ready.”
The 2018 version of James Conner became a Pro Bowl representative when he stepped in for Le’Veon Bell and rushed for 909 yards in 12 games. Despite sitting out two games, Conner ranks 10 th in the NFL in rushing and is fourth in the AFC. He is tied for second among all running backs with 12 rushing touchdowns.
Conner also has caught 52 passes for 467 yards and a touchdown.
“I told you guys at the beginning of the season, stars are born every year,” center Maurkice Pouncey said. “It was written that way, and it was said that way, and obviously, he went and did it. That’s awesome.”
The selection came three years after Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. He has been cancer-free since 2016, and he commemorated his Pro Bowl selection Tuesday night by posting on Twitter a screen shot of a text he received from former Pitt star Aaron Donald in 2015.
In the message, Donald wrote, “I already know u goin bounce back stronger and better than ever. I just can’t wait to see it. I’m goin be the first to tune in goin look back at this one day after about 7 pro bowls and a couple All Pro years and see everything that’s just happened to u just goin make u stronger.”
Conner thought it was the appropriate time to share Donald’s words with his fans.
“It’s awesome for that to come to reality,” he said.
Considering the climb he has made, Conner admitted that being known as a Pro Bowl player has a nice ring to it.
“I like that,” he said. “It’s such a blessing. I’ve come a long way, and it’s a huge honor.”
Conner won’t be going to Orlando alone. Among the Steelers’ six Pro Bowl representatives are offensive linemen Pouncey, David DeCastro and Alejandro Villanueva. The other selections are wide receiver Antonio Brown and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward.
“I think we are all more excited for him than we are us,” DeCastro said about Conner. “Obviously selfishly we take pride in that too, we feel like we got a little piece of that, and hopefully we can get him back here sooner than later. But regardless it’s really cool to see.”
If the Steelers make it to the Super Bowl, none of the Steelers will be available for the all-star event, which is held one week earlier. The Steelers, though, are no cinch to make the playoffs with an 8-5-1 record. They need a win at New Orleans and a loss by the Baltimore Ravens to clinch the AFC North. Otherwise, the Steelers’ playoff fate won’t be decided until Week 17.
The question is whether Conner will be healthy enough to contribute to that playoff trek this weekend. He plans to do some jogging Thursday.
“Stay the course,” he said. “No matter how much treatment I do, it takes time.”
The cautious approach would be to allow Conner’s tender ankle to heal until January. The trouble is, the Steelers aren’t guaranteed of playing any football in January.
“No,” Conner said, flatly rejecting that plan. “I want to be out there on the field. We don’t have room to be saving stuff so, no, none of that.”
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Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe at jrutter@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tribjoerutter.
