James Conner of the Cardinals is a running back, and Mike Tomlin of the Steelers “expects nothing but his absolute best” in his Pittsburgh return.
Running back James Conner is well-known to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, having seen him play for the team for four seasons and 2,302 rushing yards.
Tomlin’s main motivation for not wanting Conner to enjoy a happy homecoming on Sunday, when the Arizona Cardinals take on the host Steelers, is that familiarity.
“We cannot permit James Conner to accomplish what James accomplishes,” Tomlin stated regarding the running back he chose in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Pitt. “I have a great deal of affection and respect for James. He is a serious competitor and a real tough guy. Knowing him, I’m expecting nothing less than the best from him when he returns to Pittsburgh.”
Conner played for the Steelers from 2017 to 2020. In his second season, he broke through for a career-high 973 yards of rushes and 12 touchdowns, making him a Pro Bowl selection. Conner, a cancer survivor who was a strong runner and embodied Pittsburgh toughness, signed with the Cardinals prior to the 2021 season and made his Pro Bowl debut with a 15-TD performance.
Tomlin wants his defense to exert every effort to prevent Conner from sniffing six, knowing full well that the 28-year-old has a nose for the end zone.
“Aside from his will and intangible things, man, his skillset,” said Tomlin. “He’s difficult to handle once he enters the secondary. He is a strident runner. Throughout his entire career, he has developed an excellent sense of the goal line and the line to gain. He has consistently scored touchdowns.”
But since Week 3, Connor hasn’t found the end zone. He has rushed for 526 yards (5.06 yards per carry) and two touchdowns this year in eight games, missing four due to an injury to his knee that put him on injured reserve. He recently had six carries for 27 yards, which was a season low, against the Los Angeles Rams.
Conner should be inspired to perform in front of the Three Rivers audience on Sunday, though.
