Running back James Conner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who missed last week’s loss to the Oakland Raiders because of an ankle injury, practiced on a limited basis on Friday and was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.
Conner sat out practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Jaylen Samuels replaced Conner in the starting lineup against Oakland and rushed for only 28 yards on 11 carries, but he did catch seven passes for 64 yards. Stevan Ridley also played and managed only four yards in five carries, but he did score on a two-yard run.
Conner has stepped up this season after All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell held out for a new contract and has not reported, leading the Steelers with 909 yards rushing on 201 carries, a 4.5-yard, average and 12 touchdowns, in addition to catching 52 passes for 467 yards and another score.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who missed most of the second half against the Raiders because of a rib injury but returned late in the game, was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday, and will start against the Patriots.
The Steelers also listed wide receiver Ryan Switzer as questionable because of an ankle injury and he was a limited participant in practice on Friday.
