James Conner: We are “excited” to play with Mason Rudolph

Getty Images

The Steelers will rest several key starters on Sunday, but starters who play with the saves don’t see the game against the Browns as a meaningless scrum.

Running back James Conner, who will play in what will be the last game of his rookie contract, is looking forward to the challenge – and playing with quarterback Mason Rudolph.

“Just play a full game and be our best,” Conner said, via Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. “This is what we preach. We have standards. It doesn’t matter who the QB is in there. I know Mason will give us energy on the spot. I know he’s excited to play. We are also excited to play with him. The line does what it does, the full backs, the placement of the ball, the run, the receivers have to play. That’s really all it is about, making games.

Rudolph, who played a lot in 2019 after Ben Roethlisberger suffered a late-season injury in week two, is preparing to enter the pitch every week.

“He comes to practice with the same mindset every day,” Conner said. “We measure our improvement during the work week and our performance on match day. His approach to practice since I’ve seen him, he’s preparing as if he’s the starter. This is how he works. Play games. When we are in a training environment we see guys playing games. This is the time when we get better. I have seen him be consistent with his approach to work.

The Steelers have relied too heavily on passing play for most of the season. With Roethlisberger out for Week 17, the running game becomes even more important than it has been.

“We really need the racing game,” Conner said. “It’s adversity, the things that we face. It is not a lack of effort, it is none of the above. Football is a humiliating game. We are not going to keep looking for answers and this and that. We will continue to try to play our football. That’s what we’re going to do this week. This is always the next opportunity. It is the journey you take from top to bottom. I know adversity. I love it. I can’t wait to take on the next challenges and start the running game and win some more. “

A victory at Pittsburgh coupled with a loss at Buffalo would give the Steelers the No. 2 seed in the AFC, which would guarantee at least two home playoff games.

If they can win in the wild card round. Which is a bigger “if” than it looked a few weeks ago.