JuJu Out, Conner Doubtful for Steelers Knee injury for Smith-Schuster By: Mike Krueger | Fri Nov 29, 3:00 pm

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The Steelers will be without wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for the second week in a row, and running back James Conner likely won't play, either. Conner was a limited participant in practice on Thursday and Friday, but Smith-Schuster didn't practice at all during the week. He cleared concussion protocol Wednesday but is still dealing with a knee injury that requires a brace. (ESPN)
FFToday's Take: The Steelers will feature James Washington and Diontae Johnson at receiver with Benny Snell, Jaylen Samuels getting the bulk of the running back work with Trey Edmunds mixing in. It will hard to trust anyone but Washington at receiver with both Samuels and Snell middling Flex options against the Browns.

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James Conner gets some work in Thursday JuJu still out of practice By: Doug Orth | Thu Nov 28, 11:30 pm

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Some good and bad on today's Steelers injury report. James Conner got in a limited practice, but still no JuJu Smith-Schuster. A DNP entirely. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
FFToday's Take: This is a bit of an interesting revelation considering Conner told reporters Monday "it'll be a little longer" before he's ready to play. That still may be true, but now it appears he at least has a shot to play in Week 13. Owners would be wise to make other plans though. As for JuJu, he's almost fallen off the fantasy map with multiple changes at quarterback and his injuries. Until Ben Roethlisberger returns next year, it's going to be hard to start any Steelers receiver again.

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JuJu, Conner ruled out, Diontae Johnson will play Steelers hit with injury bug By: Mike Krueger | Fri Nov 22, 2:15 pm

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The Steelers will officially be without JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner against the Bengals. CB Artie Burns is listed as doubtful. There were no other injury designations, meaning WR Diontae Johnson (concussion) is good to go. That's good news for a very depleted WR corps. (Brooke Pryor on Twitter)
FFToday's Take: Johnson suffered a bad looking concussion in Week 11 but will suit up for a depleted Steelers offense that will feature Johnson and James Washington at wide receiver along with Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell and Trey Edmunds at running back. Samuels in PPR leagues is the only recommended option of this group.

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James Conner's Week 12 status uncertain Continuing to recover from AC sprain By: Doug Orth | Mon Nov 18, 6:45 pm

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Steelers RB James Conner’s AC joint injury isn’t worse than it’s been after he left last week’s game against the #Browns, source said. Good news overall, but status for Sunday’s game against the #Bengals is up in the air. Timeline all depends on how he feels. (NFL Network - Tom Pelissero)
FFToday's Take: It would not be a surprise if the Steelers hold out Conner for one more week and take their chances at beating the winless Bengals without him in order to have him ready for Week 13 versus the Browns. Jaylen Samuels would be worthy of starting in fantasy in Week 12 if Pittsburgh goes that route. Samuels would be best used as a flex option, however, as the Steelers' running game has struggled for the better part of the season.

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James Conner expected back for Week 11 Shoulder injury By: Mike Krueger | Mon Nov 11, 10:45 am

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The Steelers are expecting to have running back James Conner available for Thursday night’s game in Cleveland, an encouraging sign for a rushing attack that ranks near the bottom of the league is several different categories. Conner has not played the past two games because of a shoulder separation, but barring any setbacks, the plan is to have him ready to go against the Browns, the Post-Gazette has learned. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
FFToday's Take: The Steelers face the Browns on Thursday night this week. His return will be a welcome sign to the Steelers who have struggled to run the ball the last two weeks without him. When Conner returns, Jaylen Samuels will revert back to a change of pace option and a weekly PPR dart throw.

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James Conner not expected to play Week 10 Shoulder injury By: Mike Krueger | Thu Nov 7, 2:49 pm

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BREAKING: RB James Conner (shoulder) not expected to play Sunday against the LA Rams. (Gary Dulac on Twitter)
FFToday's Take: With Conner and Benny Snell both expected to miss this week, it will be Jaylen Samuels and Trey Edmunds handling the running back duties for the Steelers against the Rams in Week 10. Samuels is a viable RB2 in PPR leagues given his pass catching ability.

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James Conner doubtful, Snell out Jaylen Samuels takes first team reps Friday By: Mike Krueger | Fri Nov 1, 2:05 pm

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RB Benny Snell (knee) and LG Ramon Foster (concussion) have officially been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Colts, while RB James Conner is listed as doubtful and FB Rosie Nix is questionable. Conner hasn't practiced all week, and running back Jaylen Samuels told reporters he took first team reps on a Friday. (ESPN)
FFToday's Take: Fire up your shares of Jaylen Samuels this week. He should be a busy man against the Colts with Trey Edmunds filling a backup role.

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Conner, Snell miss practice Thursday Shoulder injury for Conner By: Mike Krueger | Thu Oct 31, 3:20 pm

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No James Conner (shoulder), Benny Snell (knee), or Ramon Foster (concussion) for the second day in a row. Everyone else was a full go. But it seems more and more likely that the Steelers will be without both Conner and Snell for Sunday, leaving the team rolling with Jaylen Samuels and Trey Edmunds at running back. (ESPN)
FFToday's Take: It's been reported that Snell will miss a couple weeks after having a small procedure on his knee to trim his meniscus. It's looking more and more like Jaylen Samuels (knee) will get the bulk of running back duties for the Steelers against the Colts in Week 9. Trey Edmunds rounds out the Steelers running back depth chart.

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James Conner misses practice Wednesday Shoulder injury By: Mike Krueger | Wed Oct 30, 4:00 pm

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Steelers injury report isn't pretty from Wednesday's practice. Six players were absent because of injury: Benny Snell (knee), James Conner (shoulder), Maurkice Pouncey (calf), Ramon Foster (concussion) and Dan McCullers (ankle). TE Vance McDonald and LB Mark Barron were both given vet days off. Jaylen Samuels (knee) was a full participant, while Ulysses Gilbert was limited with a back injury. (ESPN)
FFToday's Take: Samuels appears to be the healthiest running back in Pittsburgh right now and should be scooped up if he's available in your league. Conner was expected to miss practice today but his participation the remainder of the week will be something to keep an eye on.

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James Connor injured late in MNF win All of Steelers RBs nursing injuries now By: Antonio D'Arcangelis | Tue Oct 29, 10:30 am

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It has been confirmed by head coach Mike Tomlin that James Conner suffered an injury to his shoulder and potentially AC (acromioclavicular) joint, but more tests will be run on Tuesday for a definitive diagnosis. Benny Snell suffered a knee injury in the game, and Jaylen Samuels was inactive with a knee injury. (CBS Sports)
FFToday's Take: A broken clavicle, if that's what this is, would end Conner's season. But in any event, Samuels will be a popular add this week as he'll be a lot closer to returning from his knee scope and could play as early as this week against the Colts. If not, the Steelers will have to add some live bodies for their ailing backfield.

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James Conner expected to play Monday night Quad injury By: Mike Krueger | Wed Oct 23, 11:45 am

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RB James Conner injured his quad against the Chargers, but said Wednesday he expects to play Monday night. He also said he feels healthy, which he backed up earlier this week with an exuberant run around the locker room to celebrate a gaming headset given to him by JuJu Smith-Schuster. (ESPN)
FFToday's Take: Conner is in a good spot this week, facing the Dolphins on Monday night. Assuming he's healty, Conner is a RB1 in Week 8. Jaylen Samuels (knee) is also on the mend but he's likely to return in Week 9.

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Jaylen Samuels (knee) to miss "at least a month" Steelers backup RB can be dropped in most formats By: Antonio D'Arcangelis | Tue Oct 8, 1:02 pm

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Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) on Twitter: "Jaylen Samuels suffered a left knee injury and is on crutches. Tomlin presser is upcoming and will give details." (Twitter)
FFToday's Take: Samuels was spotted on crutches following his knee scope and will miss about a month, according to Tomlin. This is bad news for the Steelers and the fantasy owners who prioritized Samuels in the wake of James Conner's injury heading into last week. Fourth-round RB Benny Snell moves into the No. 2 spot behind Conner, but doesn't have the same upside.

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James Conner back at practice Friday Said he expects to play in Week 5 By: Mike Krueger | Fri Oct 4, 12:48 pm

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RB James Conner (ankle) said he practiced today and expects to be able to go Sunday. (Brooke Pryor on Twitter)
FFToday's Take: Conner missed Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury but it sounds like he's going to play against the Ravens. Jaylen Samuels (10-26-1; 8-57) got involved in the offense last week so Conner's ceiling may be limited but he's still on the RB2 radar in Week 5.

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James Conner (ankle) being evaluated Steelers RB's injury could vault Jaylen Samuels in 10 RBs for Week 5 By: Antonio D'Arcangelis | Tue Oct 1, 12:53 pm

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Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) on Twitter: "Tomlin says James Conner (ankle) and Cam Heyward (quad) are being evaluated still. They'll be limited some this week. Practice will dictate game availability. Tomlin is hopeful on Vince Williams, Vance McDonald and Anthony Chickillo" (Twitter)
FFToday's Take: Jaylen Samuels would be a Top 10 RB play if Conner was forced to miss Week 5. He's a priority add on the waiver wire this week.

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James Conner not seriously hurt Left Week 2 with knee injury By: Doug Orth | Mon Sep 16, 5:15 pm

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Multiple teammates believe James Conner's knee injury is not serious. Jaylen Samuels is prepared to start if necessary, but the overall sentiment in the locker room is the issue is manageable. Conner walked through the locker room and appeared to be moving fine. (ESPN - Jeremy Fowler)
FFToday's Take: While this isn't exactly getting clearance from a doctor, it's much better than the alternative. It hasn't been a good start to the season for Conner, but the Steelers may need to rely on him more now than ever with Ben Roethlisberger done for the year. Jaylen Samuels would get the start if Conner misses a game, but it looks like fantasy owners of Conner may have lucked out here.

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