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Can fantasy owners trust James Conner at all in this Sunday’s playoff game versus the Cleveland Browns?
Fantasy Football analysis: Steelers RB James Conner, $5,000
Way back in Week 6, Conner put up 101 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries against the Browns. That feels like a lifetime ago now. Just in the past six weeks, Conner has dealt with injuries, been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and played ineffectively when on the field. That brand of play continued in Week 17 as he ran for 37 yards on just nine carries at Cleveland. Conner has gained just 76 rushing yards on 24 carries over his last three games combined. That represents just a 53.3 percent share of the team’s RB carries in those games. The only thing upholding Conner’s fantasy floor is the fact that he caught five passes in Weeks 16 and 17 each. The Browns have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to RBs this season. No back has gained more than 60 yards on the ground against Cleveland since Week 12.
Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation
A handful of receptions aside, Conner just isn’t doing enough to belong in any fantasy lineups currently. He’s sharing a considerable amount of Pittsburgh’s backfield work, unlike earlier in the season, and he frankly doesn’t have much of a chance behind an O-line that is one of the league’s worst when it comes to run-blocking.