JAMES CONNER
Running Back
CLEVELAND – Alas, the fairy tale didn't have a happy ending.
James Conner started at running back for the Steelers in their 2018 regular season opener here, and it was quite the performance. Conner rushed for 135 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns, and he also caught five passes for 57 more yards to finish with 36 touches for 192 yards from scrimmage. Conner also did a nice job in pass protection, but he also lost a fumble late in the fourth quarter that jump-started a Browns comeback in a game that ended in a 21-21 tie.
Still, it was much more positive than negative for Conner, and he is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.
Also considered were T.J. Watt, who had 11 tackles, added four sacks, and blocked the Zack Gonzalez's potential game-winning field goal in overtime; Antonio Brown, who caught nine passes for 93 yards and a touchdown; Cam Sutton, who had an interception late in the game in relief of Joe Haden who had left with a hamstring injury; Bud Dupree, who had five tackles, a sack, two passes batted down at the line of scrimmage, and a forced fumble; and Ryan Switzer, who returned five punts for 56 yards, three kickoffs for 69 yards, and had one carry for 8 yards.
