Conner back at practice, confident he has not fallen behind

Rookie running back James Conner, who returned as a full participant in practice for the first time since the first day of pads, said Monday he doesn’t think he is falling behind on the depth chart because of his shoulder injury.

Conner, the Steelers’ third-round draft choice who sprained a shoulder July 30, practiced Monday, but the players were in shells, not shoulder pads, with no tackling. Still, Conner got plenty of reps in the backfield, which coach Mike Tomlin told him would be the case on his first day back.

“I got a little football in; it feels great,” Conner said. “Coach Tomlin told me he was going to rep me a lot to get me back in rhythm and physical condition.”

Conner, who played at Pitt, did not play in the preseason opener in New York but said he stayed up on the playbook by standing next to running backs coach James Saxon in practice and games.

With Le’Veon Bell not at camp, Conner was missing a chance to gets reps with the first-team offense and see a lot of playing time.

“I don’t feel like I’m getting further behind at all,” Conner said. “Throughout the game, practice, I stay right on coach’s hip. I listen to every play call. Mental reps help tremendously. I’m good with the playbook now. I don’t feel behind at all. When I get out there I’ll be comfortable.”

After a busy day at practice, Conner said those mental reps helped him on the field.

“I knew it was going to be a good day,” Conner said. “Coach [Tomlin], he’s always on us, every day, if you take care of the ball it’s going to be a great day. He sets the tempo early that it’s going to be a great day.”