James Conner left the locker room Monday night with his arm in a sling. Benny Snell Jr. was seen using crutches to protect a knee injury Tuesday afternoon at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn’t sure whether he will have his starting running back and rookie backup available Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. All he knows is he can count on the return of a second-year back who hasn’t suited up in nearly a month.
Jaylen Samuels, who had arthroscopic knee surgery performed three weeks ago, will be healthy and available when the Steelers (3-4) try to increase their winning streak to three games.
“Right on time,” Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference.
Conner had a season-high 145 rushing yards Monday night in the Steelers’ 27-14 victory against the Miami Dolphins, but he exited late in the fourth quarter with what Tomlin called an injury to the AC joint. Tomlin didn’t know the severity of the injury Tuesday.
“It’s going to limit him surely at the early portions of the week,” Tomlin said.
Conner exited after his 23rd carry of the game, easily his most of the season. His previous high was 16 attempts two weeks earlier against the Los Angeles Chargers. He was injured with 2 minutes, 15 seconds left while the Steelers were trying to run out the clock.
Because of the Monday night game against Miami, Conner will have one less day to heal than normal. Tomlin said the third-year running back doesn’t need a full week of practice in order to play against Indianapolis.
“James has played enough ball that I’m starting to get comfortable with him maybe not requiring a complete week of work in an effort for him to play like it does for some younger players,” Tomlin said.
Samuels started three games when Conner was injured last season and had 142 yards rushing in a win against New England. In the opening weeks, he primarily was used as a change-of-pace runner and receiving option out of the backfield. He had 10 carries in Week 4 against Cincinnati when he also completed three passes out of the wildcat formation.
Samuels injured his knee the following week against Baltimore and said Saturday that his knee was “close” to 100%.
“Jaylen got a clean bill of healthy at the end of last week and was available to us,” Tomlin said. “Because of his lack of work and the work of others, we chose not to play him. He’ll be ready to go.”
Snell, who rushed for 75 yards off the bench two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Chargers, injured his knee in the second half against the Dolphins and didn’t return. He had five carries for 13 yards and possibly would have been in the game instead of Conner in the waning moments with the Steelers holding a 13-point lead.
Tomlin said Snell, like Conner, was being evaluated by medical personnel Tuesday.
“He’s the type of guy that if he is limited, because of youth and inexperience, it may affect his availability,” Tomlin said.
Snell’s absence left Trey Edmunds, who began the year on the practice squad, to mop up. Edmunds had one carry for no gain on what represented the Steelers’ final offensive snap.
Edmunds played in four games late last season when he was activated from the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster this year after Samuels’ injury and has contributed on special teams. He had two tackles against the Dolphins.
“He’s a running back that is capable of playing coverage units,” Tomlin said. “He’s a football player first. When you see running backs or offensive players that excel on coverage units that are productive tacklers like (fullback) Rosie Nix, that adds value to your group. He gives us that.
“He’s got a consistent demeanor. He’s tough. He’s downhill. He finishes plays aggressively. All of those things we like, and he’s got really solid and consistent ball skills.”
Other injuries listed by Tomlin include:
• Guard Ramon Foster is in the concussion protocol after leaving in the second half against the Dolphins.
• Reserve defensive lineman Daniel McCullers injured his ankle and may be limited in practice.
• Center Maurkice Pouncey sustained a calf injury. He typically is rested one day each week and may be given extra time to heal.
• Rookie inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert is dealing with lower back spasms. He was inactive against the Dolphins.
Here are some highlights from Tomlin’s press conference:
Tomlin said Colts are working "in a very efficient manner" behind QB Jacoby Brissett.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 29, 2019
Tomlin mentioned Ulysees Gilbert (lower back spasms) as another injury that will be monitored this week.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 29, 2019
Jaylen Samuels availability is "right on time," Tomlin said. Samuels got clean bill of health at the end of last week but Steelers decided to rest him given what Conner/Snell did the previous game against Chargers.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 29, 2019
Tomlin liked the way the Steelers overcame the absence of Stephon Tuitt. Mentioned a subpackage that included Cam Heyward as only defensive lineman with Vince Williams serving as a fourth pass rusher.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 29, 2019
Tomlin on Conner: He has a shoulder injury but he has little information. He expects Conner to be limited early in the week. Says he's "comfortable" with Conner having a reduced workload in practice before Steelers play again Sunday.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 29, 2019
"By no means are we throwing a pep rally," Tomlin said in reference to trying to improve to 4-4
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 29, 2019
Tomlin liked the way the Steelers overcame the absence of Stephon Tuitt. Mentioned a subpackage that included Cam Heyward as only defensive lineman with Vince Williams serving as a fourth pass rusher.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 29, 2019
Tomlin talks about Steelers playing complementary football, ie the defense backing up the offense after a turnover, and the offense doing the same, such as the 97-yard scoring drive.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 29, 2019
Mike Tomlin said Mason Rudolph faced a "unique" set of circumstances but did not let the concussion or layoff "define him."
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 29, 2019
Mike Tomlin on 27-14 win: "It's good to see a group capable of handling adversity without blinking."
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 29, 2019
Tomlin press conference is about to begin momentarily
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 29, 2019
