As He Returns To Pittsburgh, James Conner Crucial crucial for the Cardinals

Running back spent college, first four NFL years in city

James Conner probably wouldn’t have known if the Cardinals had played the Steelers in 2021 — the running back’s first year with the Cardinals, and the first since high school he didn’t get to play a home game in Pittsburgh.
If so — Sunday’s return may take place there, he said.
It meant more.
But three years after Conner, a third-round pick of the Steelers in 2017, left as a free agent and signed with the Cardinals in pursuit of a future NFL career, she still has I haven’t been able to contact you.
“This league is unforgiving,” Connor said.
“You have to earn it every year.
” Connor earned it.
In a league that eats up running backs and spits them out, Conner’s numbers aren’t eye-popping, but he’s productive.
His mentality creates what the Cardinals need both on the field and in the locker room.
You need his job too.
Last week, when the Rams attacked the Cards, Conner averaged 4.
5 yards per tote on just six carries.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing admitted, “I wish we had given James more of an opportunity to impact the game.
” To that end, Conner and the Cardinals will have to deal with one of the league’s best run defenses this week.
would have to.
Still, it couldn’t be more fitting for Conner to try to make it happen against the Steelers at Acresure Stadium.
There, the Terrible Towel was once waved for him and is still being waved in the hopes of stopping him.
“You can’t have James Conner do what James did,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said this week.
“I know James, I love him, I have a lot of respect for him.
He’s a really tough guy, a big competitor.
We can only expect the absolute best from him when he returns.

Connor just loves this area.
The University of Pittsburgh was one of the few schools to offer him a scholarship, and then, despite an injury and cancer diagnosis, the Steelers drafted him, where he was a key cog for four seasons.

They released him as a free agent.
The Cardinals signed him to a one-year contract in 2021.
Conner responded with 18 touchdowns.
“It was new,” Connor said.
“Coming to the West Coast was a completely new experience, but it was a good one for my mental and spiritual growth and everything else.
” The Cardinals’ tough year affected Connor, too.
He missed four and a half games with his knee injury, erasing one of the best starts of his career.
He has 526 rushing yards and an average of 5.
1 yards per carry in eight games, which would be a career high if he can stick with it.
Although his success is greatly reduced as he is often substituted in passing situations, his importance cannot be underestimated.
“We’ve gotten closer over the years, one of my good friends, probably one of my best friends,” quarterback Kyler Murray said.
“He’s a guy you can trust on and off the field.
He’s been through a lot in his life.
To bounce things off of him, there’s nothing better than having a player by your side who has your back.
No.
” The Cardinals need him to be more involved in the offense.
Conner admitted he wanted to be more involved in the game against the Rams, but said, “I’m not bigger than the offense.
The coaches will do what his mentality calls for.
” Coaches know they have to rely on Conner in Pittsburgh.
“It’s going to be a load on him,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said.
Connor estimates 15 to 20 friends and family will be at the game, but hugs (including former teammates from the opposing team) are on the back burner.
“This is definitely a special place,” Connor said.
Connor, a man of few words, hopes to show what it means to him through his actions on the field Sunday.