PITTSBURGH — For the second week in a row, the Pittsburgh Steelers ground attack will be without James Conner. After taking steps back in his recovery from a shoulder injury, Conner is listed as out for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. Because he didn’t practice Thursday or Friday after a limited showing Wednesday, his absence against the Rams was anticipated.
But perhaps even more troubling is the new addition to the injury report.
Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with a foot injury. The injury first appeared on Friday’s practice report, and he was a limited participant in the final practice of the week.
Though Smith-Schuster’s numbers have been down this season, the double teams he’s drawn have freed up other receivers.
“He’s attracting a lot of flies,” quarterback Mason Rudolph said after beating the Indianapolis Colts. “When he’s not catching the ball, he understands the type of attention he attracts. He really does a good job for me, being a selfless player in this situation. He knows he’s taking two with him, and somewhere else we’re going to have the opportunity to throw the ball.”
Smith-Schuster anticipated matching up against corner Jalen Ramsey on Sunday.
“He’s arguably one of the best corners in the league, I have the opportunity to go against him, it’s going to be great, it’s a blessing,” Smith-Schuster said Wednesday. “Their secondary is one of the best secondaries we play throughout the season.”
Other than Smith-Schuster, the Steelers currently have four wide receivers on the active roster: Ryan Switzer, James Washington, Diontae Johnson and Johnny Holton.
Meanwhile, the running back group will also be thin without Conner, who injured his AC joint in his right shoulder in the final minutes of the Miami Dolphins win, and Benny Snell Jr., who had knee surgery two weeks ago.
Running back Trey Edmunds missed part of the week with a ribs injury, but he practiced fully on Friday. With Conner and Snell out, the run game will heavily rely on Jaylen Samuels and Edmunds for the second week in a row.
“It is what it is,” Tomlin told Steelers.com Friday. “We’ll have a running back on the field and expect those guys to deliver for us. We’ve been challenged in that way this year and it seems like at every turn, guys have had an opportunity to stand and deliver. Benny Snell had a big half or so a couple weeks back in L.A. (Trey) Edmunds had an opportunity to be a major contributor last week. We don’t fear it, we fully understand the position that we’re in, but we fully expect whoever’s to do it, to do a credible job.”