James Conner Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that the Steelers "guess" that RB Le'Veon Bell will report to the team on Saturday. Based on everything we've heard, the team originally expected Bell to show up on Monday -- so the organization doesn't appear to have a good read on the situation. Reporting Saturday would allow Bell to receive his game check while saving a game's worth of wear and tear on his body. At this point, a Week 2 debut should be considered the best-case scenario for Bell owners. RB James Conner will start Sunday's opener vs. the Browns.

Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell has still not reported to the team as of 2 pm ET on Wednesday. So he's missed the 1st practice of the week in preparation for Sunday's opener against the Browns. At this point, it's looking like he's prepared to miss at least that game. We've removed Bell from the Week 1 Rankings and moved James Conner up into RB2 territory. The 2nd-year back had an impressive preseason and should be looking at 15+ touches this weekend if Bell is out.

Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell still hasn't reported to the team. He was expected to show up today, which is what he did last year before playing in the season opener. At this point, we still don't expect Bell to sit out games -- but it'll be time to worry if he's still away when practice really ramps up on Wednesday. RB James Conner would serve as Pittsburgh's lead back sans Bell and should be rostered in all fantasy leagues.

Steelers RB James Conner left Sunday's practice early with a groin injury, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. We've seen no indication of the severity, though the report didn't make it sound overly serious. Conner reportedly finished the workout watching from the sideline with ice on the problem area. We'll see how quickly the 2nd-year back returns to the field.

Steelers RB James Conner needs surgery on the knee he injured in Sunday's loss to the Patriots, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports. There's no set timeline for his return yet, but the rookie is expected to miss "at least a few weeks." Fitzgerald Toussaint will step in as the #2 RB -- but, of course, the Steelers will continue to ride Le'Veon Bell the rest of the way.

Update: Conner has been placed on IR and is done for the season. He's reportedly dealing with a torn MCL.

Steelers RB James Conner injured his knee in the 4th quarter of Sunday's game against the Patriots and is doubtful to return. We'll update his status when we learn more. Fitzgerald Toussaint will serve as RB Le'Veon Bell's backup if Conner misses time.

Steelers RB James Conner (shoulder) returned to practice on Tuesday. He ended up missing a little over a week. Conner remains the favorite to win the backup job behind Le'Veon Bell, but the rookie needs to stay healthy the rest of the summer.

Steelers RB James Conner sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder Sunday, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. HC Mike Tomlin called the issue minor and said that he only expects Conner to miss "days." That's good for a backfield already down the holding-out Le'Veon Bell. As long as Conner does return soon, he remains the handcuff favorite for Bell owners.

The deadline to extend franchise-tagged players passed Monday without a new contract for Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell. That means Bell will have to wait until after the 2017 season to talk any further contract with Pittsburgh. The situation shouldn't really mean anything for his fantasy football outlook. But it's at least worth noting for dynasty owners. Considering how far down the RB market has sunk the past couple of years and the Steelers' traditionally shrewd dealings, it's possible we could see Bell in a new uniform in 2018. That possibility adds a bit of long-term value to rookie RB James Conner.

The Steelers selected Pittsburgh RB James Conner in the 3rd round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Conner missed the 2015 season while battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but he conquered the illness to post 216-1092-16 in 2016. A high-character tackle breaker, Conner has a real shot to enter Week 1 as Pittsburgh’s #2 RB. For now, Le'Veon Bell is slated to play under the franchise tag, and his durability woes could open the door for Conner to see early-career touches.