Conner Lights Up MNF but Gets Hurt Late
Conner Lights Up MNF but Gets Hurt Late
Steelers running short on running backs
The Dolphins and Steelers entered Monday night’s game with a combined 2-10 record. Early on, the Dolphins looked like the 2-4 team while the Steelers were routinely booed off the field by the home crowd. Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed a pair of first-quarter touchdowns, but the Dolphins were then shut out over the final 46-plus minutes of game action while the Steelers hung 27 unanswered points on the board and coasted to a win on the back of their two studs, James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Conner, however, was injured late in the fourth quarter.
Conner had yet to manage a 100-yard rushing game this season coming into Monday night, but the Dolphins predictably paved the way for the breakout game. Conner's touchdown came from nine yards out in the fourth quarter where he wasn't going to be denied the end zone. The bad news is Conner looked to be injured late in the fourth quarter while handling meaningless clock-killing carries. He was body-weighted by a defender right on top of his shoulder. Upon examination on the sideline, a Steelers trainer appeared to mouth the word "clavicle" before escorting Conner to the locker room. A broken collarbone would end his season. Benny Snell was also injured in this game, hurting his knee. Jaylen Samuels (knee) is expected back in Week 9. Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed after the game that Conner has a shoulder injury, and the team will know more Tuesday. Samuels needs to be a waiver-wire priority this week.
Monday was easily Smith-Schuster’s best game of the season and JuJu's first over 100 yards after averaging just over 56 yards per game Weeks 1-7. It wasn't easy by any means, as Smith-Schuster had to pluck an underthrown ball off the top of the defensive back's helmet to secure his acrobatic 26-yard touchdown. The Steelers really made a point to challenge the Dolphins down the field, taking multiple shots and playing aggressive. The Steelers host the big play-limiting Colts in Week 9. JuJu is a prime sell-high candidate in fantasy leagues.
On the last day for teams to make trades to bolster thin positions via trade, the Steelers find themselves with an extremely thin position.
While the biggest headline was starting running back James Conner leaving in a sling last night with a AC joint injury, he’s not the only Steelers back hurting.
According to Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, backup Benny Snell is being evaluated for a knee injury suffered last night, adding to the pile.
Running back Jaylen Samuels was inactive last night as he recovers from a knee scope, leaving the Steelers with Trey Edmunds as the only healthy back on the roster at the moment.
Being 3-4 might reduce their incentive to make a trade, but any news they find out today about Conner’s prognosis might determine their next steps, as they head into next week’s game against the Colts.
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