Week 3 didn’t treat former Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl running backs well.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner and Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris (both formerly of the Steelers) both suffered crushing injuries on Sunday which are expected to end their respective seasons.
“From @GMFB: The #Chargers lost RB Najee Harris for the season with a torn Achilles, while the #AZCardinals lost their starting RB James Conner for the season as he heads for ankle surgery,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted on X.
Conner spent the first four seasons of his career with Pittsburgh from 2017 to 2020 after being drafted in the third round.
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The 30-year-old was former All-Pro Le’Veon Bell’s backup in 2017 before taking over as the starter in 2018. Conner set career highs in targets (71), receptions (55) and receiving yards (497) that season on his way to his first Pro Bowl honor.
He signed with the Cardinals in April 2021 and made his second Pro Bowl that season while scoring a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns.
Conner had one of his best seasons in 2024, posting high marks in rushing attempts (236), rushing yards (1094), touches (283) and yards from scrimmage (1,508). He recorded 95 rushing yards and one touchdown on 32 carries this season before his injury, as well as eight catches for 38 yards and one score.
Harris was the Steelers’ first-round pick during the 2021 NFL Draft, being selected 24th overall.
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He registered at least 1,000 rushing yards and six touchdowns in each of his four seasons with Pittsburgh and was a Pro Bowler as a rookie.
Harris signed a one-year contract with Los Angeles in March and missed the entire preseason with an eye injury, before returning for Week 1.
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Featured image via Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images