The Steelers would have loved to see Le'Veon Bell in Latrobe, Pa., Friday, when the team opened training camp. But with their star running back set to sit until he signs his franchise tender, at least one person stands to gain from his absence.
No Bell should mean added touches for James Conner, which could help make up for time he lost earlier this summer. The Steelers' third-round pick out of Pitt missed most of OTAs with a hamstring injury.
"I'm just excited to get reps," Conner said. "I don't know all the details of (Bell's) situation, but all I know is I've gotta master this playbook, be ready when they call No. 30."
Conner said he worked out with center Maurkice Pouncey and defensive end Cameron Heyward, among others, in Pittsburgh between OTAs and the start of camp. He said he is conditioned and does not have any limitations from the hamstring injury.
That's a good thing for Conner; last season, Bell had 261 carries and 75 receptions in just 12 games. He's a major part of every offensive area, which means Conner could be asked to do a lot.
"He definitely set the bar high with his receiving and his running ability and pass blocking," Conner said. "Every category, to me, he's the best running back in the game. So I've gotta get in rhythm. It'll give me an opportunity to work with Ben a little bit, so there's no drop off in the rhythm whenever Le'Veon comes out of the game."
Even if Steelers fans might be antsy for Bell to arrive, it's clear Conner will still be a draw for them, too.
After a prolific college career and a bout with Hodgkin's lymphoma while at Pitt, Conner has become a Pittsburgh icon and an early fan favorite. As of earlier this week, he had the top-selling jersey in the NFL, an unusual position for a rookie backup running back.
Conner, though, didn't seem overly concerned with that as he left the field after the team's first walkthrough of camp.
"I'll see a tweet or something that says I'm No. 1 (in jersey sales), and you feel good for about five seconds," he said. "And then you realize you haven't played yet. You get back into reality really quick."
For now, that reality is in Latrobe. Conner will spend the coming weeks roughing it in the Saint Vincent dorms, with little to focus on but his playbook.
Some growing pains are to be expected, but Conner would do well to quell them early. He's not a star in the NFL _ but until Bell arrives, he'll be filling in for one.
