Limited to 13 snaps during November because of a shoulder injury, James Conner has a sliver of hope in returning to game action Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Pro Bowl running back practiced in a limited capacity Thursday and Friday and on the official injury report was given a “doubtful” designation to play against the Cleveland Browns.

In recent years, it is almost universal players listed as “doubtful” by the Steelers do not play that week. Still, that Conner took to the practice field should be viewed as progress after he did not do so at all last week.

Conner suffered a shoulder injury late during a win against Miami on Oct. 28. He was activated for the game at Cleveland on Nov. 14 but did not play after the first quarter following an aggravation of the injury.

“I don’t know what their status will be as a I stand here,” #Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Conner and Smith-Schuster. “We’ll go through our normal procedures.” https://t.co/LaulmRffvG

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) November 26, 2019

No. 1 receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was knocked out of that game when he suffered a concussion and knee injury during the same second-quarter play. Although Smith-Schuster has cleared NFL concussion protocol, the knee injury lingers and will prevent him from playing in Sunday’s rematch against the Browns.

Reserve cornerback Artie Burns gradually improved his status throughout the practice week, and full-participant status Friday left him as questionable to play Sunday.

The shoulder injury that had starting left tackle Alejandro Villanueva limited at practice Wednesday will not affect his playing status Sunday.

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