Rookie Conner makes big strides for Steelers
Running back stars against Falcons
PITTSBURGH — James Conner overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma and a serious right knee injury to reach the NFL. He showed in his Pittsburgh Steelers debut Sunday that he plans to stick around for a while.
The rookie running back from the University of Pittsburgh broke off runs of 17 and 19 yards, leading to Bart Houston’s go-ahead 6-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hunter in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh’s 1713 exhibition victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Conner was greeted with an ovation on the third series when he made his first carry. The third-round draft pick broke off three other runs longer than 10 yards and totaled 98 yards rushing on 20 carries.
“With all the runs, I was getting more comfortable,” Conner said.
“We kept ripping off big ones.”
Matt Ryan led the Falcons (0-2) to a touchdown in his lone series and finished 4 of 6 for 57 yards. In two series during the preseason, Ryan, the 2016 NFL’S Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year, has gone 6 of 8 for 88 yards with a touchdown and a 123.6 passer rating.
Wide receiver Martavis Bryant played his first game more than 18 months for Pittsburgh (2-0).
The NFL suspended Bryant in March 2016 for a second violation of its substance abuse policy. He also opened the 2015 season with a four-game suspension because of multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.
Bryant, who still is in the process of being fully reinstated by the league, remains suspended but is permitted to participate in all preseason activities - including practices and games.
Steelers rookie Josh Dobbs targeted Bryant on the first play, but the offense sputtered with consecutive three-and-outs. Dobbs, a fourthround pick, was 10 of 19 for 70 yards with an interception. Bryant, who had two catches for 20 yards, later fumbled an end-around but made up for it with a 23-yard reception on a drive that ended with a field goal.
Tevin Coleman got the start at running back for the Falcons with Devonta Freeman previously ruled out with a concussion. But the Falcons’ primary backfield focus was the competition for the third running back spot.
Terron Ward, who ran for 48 yards against Miami, was strong again Sunday. He finished with nine carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. Ward ran for 151 yards in five games last season.
Fifth-round pick Brian Hill rushed for 14 yards on seven carries. The former Wyoming product player also struggled in the team’s first preseason game against Miami, gaining 10 yards on nine carries.
■ At Carson, Calif., rookie Alvin Kamara ran for a 50-yard touchdown en route to a 61-yard effort on five carries and added a 22-yard reception for New Orleans (1-1). Safety Dexter Mccoil returned an interception by Ryan Nassib 99 yards for the lone touchdown by Los Angeles (0-2). Wil Lutz kicked field goals of 53 and 26 yards for the Saints. Neither Drew Brees nor Philip Rivers saw action at quarterback.
Saints 13, Chargers 7 —