More information on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rising number of COVID cases. Per this tweet moments ago from NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala, RB James Conner is the Steelers’ starter who tested positive for the virus.
As her tweet indicates, the team is now conducting contact tracing while also waiting on a second test for Conner to rule out any potential false positive.
Assuming he has tested positive for the virus, he obviously won’t be eligible to play Tuesday against Baltimore. His status for next Sunday’s game against Washington would also be in severe doubt. Through ten games this season, Conner had carried the ball 145 times for 645 yards and five touchdowns as the feature back of the Steelers’ offense.
Provided none of the other RBs have to quarantine as part of contact tracing, Benny Snell and rookie Anthony McFarland would be the next men up. There’s also Jaylen Samuels, though he’s dealing with a quad injury and hasn’t practiced all week.
We’re wishing Conner and any other players who test positive (Steelers or Ravens) a speedy recovery.
UPDATE (1:45 PM): According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Brooke Pryor, Conner is reportedly feeling fine and in good spirits.
