If the Steelers' fallback option if they missed out on a running back in the draft was James Conner, that option is now gone.
According to Jay Glazer, Conner has signed with the Cardinals a day after visiting with the team on Monday. He got a one-year deal worth $1.75 million that included a $500,000 signing bonus.
The @AZCardinals continued to pick up veteran free agents as they have signed former Steelers RB @JamesConner_ one day after he flew in for a visit. @NFLonFOX
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 13, 2021
Conner is now the sixth player from the Steelers' 2020 roster who's signed with another team after Bud Dupree and Ola Adeniyi signed with the Titans, Mike Hilton signed with the Bengals, Matt Feiler signed with the Chargers, and Sean Davis signed with the Colts.
The Cardinals brought in Conner Monday to check out a toe issue he had during the offseason that required surgery.
Ex-#Steelers RB James Conner underwent surgery to repair a very moderate turf toe-type injury this offseason, sources say, a procedure done by renowned specialist Dr. Robert Anderson. The injury incurred while riding in a recreational vehicle. A full recovery is expected in June.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 12, 2021
Conner, a Pitt product and native of Erie, Pa., had been the Steelers' starting running back the past three seasons. But he also dealt with a number of injuries during that period.
A Pro Bowl player in 2018, Conner tore his ACL and was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma while at Pitt, where he set an ACC record for career touchdowns. He then dealt with numerous nagging injuries while with the Steelers that forced him to miss nine games and large chunks of several others the past three seasons.
Conner, a third-round compensatory pick by the Steelers in 2017, had 2,302 rushing yards and scored 22 touchdowns on the ground with Pittsburgh.
The Steelers signed free agent running back Kalen Ballage as a free agent last month, but he's not expected to challenge for a starting role among a group that includes Benny Snell, Jaylen Samuels and Anthony McFarland.
Conner's signing could, however, take Arizona out of the running as a team that will look to acquire a running back in the upcoming NFL Draft later this month. Arizona lost leading rusher Kenyan Drake in free agency but has Chase Edmunds returning at the position.
With the loss of Conner, it drives home even more so my point in Monday's Talking Points about why it's important for Kevin Colbert to get one of this year's top three running backs.
