Steelers RB James Conner will not play versus Raiders

For the second week in a row the Raiders will not face their opponent’s starting running back. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that James Conner’s injury is more significant than initially thought. Conner has an ankle sprain and will miss the Steelers game in Oakland Sunday.

This is a bad break for the Steelers and Conner. The second-year back is approaching 1000 yards already this season (909) with 12 touchdowns.

The second rushing back on the Steelers roster is Stevan Ridley with just 56 yards on 18 carries in 7 appearances.

Last week, the Raiders wouldn’t face Chiefs top back, Kareem Hunt after a tape from February surfaced in which he was seen hitting a woman in a hotel. He was immediately sent home and summarily released by the Chiefs.

In his stead, Spencer Ware would run for just 47 yards on 14 carries (3.4 yards per carry) while quarterback Pat Mahomes would lead the Chiefs in rushing.

The Raiders were able to make a gam of it, pulling within three points late in the fourth quarter and losing 40-33. Could they play the Steelers just as tough?