Steelers’ Conner fi ne leaving spotlight

The catharsis came inside a crowded restaurant on that raucous Friday night in late April when James Conner picked up the phone and Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was on the other end telling him he was about to be selected in the third round of the NFL draft.

That’s when the tears came. That’s when Conner took a deep breath and celebrated the final steps in his draining journey from marginal college prospect to record-setting running back to cancer patient to the highest level of his chosen profession.

There were no tears when Conner arrived at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Thursday to start training camp.

If Conner is being honest, he’s ready to move on. While his spirited and ultimately one-sided battle with lymphoma in 2015 and 2016 turned the former University of Pittsburgh star into a role model, made #ConnerStrong a thing and turned his No. 30 Steelers jersey into a hot seller before he even signed his contract, he now sees himself as just another rookie trying to make it.

“There’s no emotion (about) being a cancer survivor and everything,” Conner said Friday. “I’m a good football player. All the emotional part, ‘Oh wow, I’m in the NFL,’ that’s all behind me.”

The 22-year-old is focused on what’s ahead. With Pro Bowler Le’Veon Bell yet to sign his franchise-tag tender and report to camp, Conner and former Kansas City Chiefs backup Knile Davis find themselves splitting carries with the starters.

“(Bell) set the bar, he definitely set the bar high with his receiving and his running ability and his pass blocking, in every category to me he’s the best running back in the game,” Conner said. “I’ve got to get in a rhythm. It’ll give me an opportunity to work with Ben a little bit so there’s no drop-off in the rhythm when Bell comes out of the game.”

Wrapping up

Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald, a twotime All-Pro, did not report to camp while seeking a new contract. General manager Les Snead intends to continue negotiations on an extension. … Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray will undergo surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist and miss 6-8 weeks. The news comes a day after running back Devontae Booker underwent surgery to repair a hairline fracture in his left wrist. He also is expected to miss six weeks.