Last Tuesday, Mike Tomlin ruled
out running back James Conner early in the week.
Today, the Pittsburgh
Steelers coach made no such proclamations. Tomlin did not rule
out Conner to play this week against the New England
Patriots, noting practice will tell the tale whether the starting
running back can return, per NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala.
Conner is dealing with an ankle
injury suffered in Week 13 and his prognosis for this week remains up in the
air.
The Steelers running
game was stymied sans Conner in Sunday's road loss to the Oakland
Raiders. Starter Jaylen Samuels compiled
just 28 rushing yards on 11 attempts, and veteran backup Stevan Ridley added
five carries for four yards and a touchdown. Samuels chipped in seven
receptions for 64 yards, but the Steelers sorely
missed Conner's ability to churn out yards on the ground.
Updates on Conner's status will
come as the week progresses, but Tomlin not ruling out the running back right
away is one baby step. The Steelers,
losers of three straight, sorely need Conner back to end their skid against
the Patriots.
As for Steelers quarterback Ben
Roethlisberger (ribs), who was injured on Sunday against the Raiders and
returned following a confusing turn of events, he said he expects to play against the Patriots.
IN OTHER INJURY NEWS
WE'RE FOLLOWING ON WEDNESDAY
1. The Chargers are
likely to be without running backs Melvin Gordon (knee)
and Austin Ekeler(neck, concussion) for Thursday night's AFC West
showdown with the Chiefs, Los Angeles coach Anthony Lynn told NFL Network's Steve Wyche.
Wyche added that Ekeler is in concussion protocol. Ekeler, nose tackle Brandon
Mebane (not injury related) and cornerback Trevor Williams (knee)
did not practice on Tuesday, while Gordon saw limited work.
2. The Chiefs running
back Spencer Ware (shoulder), receiver Sammy Watkins (foot)
and guard Cam Erving (knee) didn't practice. In some good news for
Kansas City, receiver Tyreek Hill (heel/wrist) practiced, as
did safety Eric Berry (Achilles), who was limited. NFL
Network's Omar Ruiz reported that Hill is expected to play along with newly
acquired receiver Kelvin
Benjamin.
3. Eagles running
back Corey Clement (knee) was put on injured reserve Tuesday. In a
subsequent move, the Eagles signed
running back Boston Scott from
the Saints'
practice squad.
4. Texans receiver Keke
Coutee (hamstring) is "trending towards being able to play,"
Coach Bill O'Brien said at Tuesday's press conference.
5. Browns cornerback Denzel
Ward (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday and his availability
against the Broncos on
Saturday is up in the air as interim coach Gregg Williams told reports
Wednesday, "if he can't practice, it will be tough."
6. Bears cornerback Bryce
Callahan suffered a broken bone in his foot in Sunday's win over
the Rams;
sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. "His timeline is TBD but he'll
likely be out a while," Garafolo tweeted.
7. Titans offensive
tackle Jack Conklin (knee) was placed on injured reserve
Tuesday. Tight end Jonnu Smith (knee) was likewise put on IR,
while offensive lineman Austin
Pasztor and tight end Cole Wick,
who was with the 49ers practice
squad, have been added to the roster.
8. Denver
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton didn't
practice Tuesday because of a quad injury. Defensive end Derek Wolfe remains
in concussion protocol, coach Vance Joseph said.
9. The Lions sent
defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) and tight end Michael
Roberts (shoulder) to injured reserve on Tuesday. A source told Rapoport
that Ansah needs surgery to repair his labrum, which he tried to play through.
With the surgery, Ansah should be ready for training camp in 2019, Rapoport
added.
10. Linebacker Kevin
Minter (calf) was sent to injured reserve on Tuesday by the Buccaneers,
who then promoted tight end Tanner Hudson from
the practice squad.
11. The Cardinals sent
defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche on injured reserve Tuesday.
Nkemdiche left Sunday's game against the Lions with
a knee injury.
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