Steelers running game might have taken another hit

The Pittsburgh Steelers really are falling apart at the wrong moment. 

If one’s ever wondered what it’s like to fall apart at the finish line, take a look at the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers.

Starting the season off 11-0, the last undefeated team is now on a two-game losing streak. In both games, they looked to be the inferior team, seeing poor execution defensively late and multiple misfires from Ben Roethlisberger.

To make matters worse, the Steelers lead the NFL in dropped passes with 37, seven coming from star second-year wideout Diontae Johnson.

The Steelers need to rebound against the Cincinnati Bengals to prove their contender status. One way to fix those concerns is by trusting the run game to rebound in their favor.

It could bounce back, but it also might be without their lead runner seeing a bulk of the carries.

James Conner is now listed as questionable entering Monday night with a quad injury. The fourth-year runner has been essential to the team’s success on the ground despite his mixed reviews in 2020.

Conner sat out Thursday’s practice before being limited in each of the past two days.

Last week, Conner returned for the first time since being placed on the COVID-19/reserve list for two games. He finished with 18 total yards off 10 carries while the rush attack only managed to grab 47 on the evening in a 25-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

For the season, Conner has collected 663 yards off 155 carries and scored five touchdowns.

Is there even hope for the Steelers run game?

It’s evident the Steelers’ rushing attack has been their weakness all season. Anthony McFarland Jr. and Benny Snell are serviceable short-yard runners, but neither has taken the steps to carry the team deep into the postseason.

Combined, their best game on the season came against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12 when Snell rushed for 60 yards in a 19-14 victory.

The Steelers rank 31st in rushing this season. Over the past three weeks, they’ve barely managed to combine for 136 yards on the ground.

Meanwhile the offensive line still is far from full strength as J.C. Hassenauer is expected to start at guard in place of second-string Kevin Dotson.

Luckily for the Steelers, the 28th ranked Bengals run defense is missing a key component in Geno Atkins. Unlucky for them, if Conner’s injury lingers, they could be without their one competent rusher for games against the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns to close out 2020.