|
|
ATL |
PIT |
Rookie Conner stars in Steelers' 17-13 win over Falcons
PITTSBURGH (AP) James Conner overcame Hodgkin's lymphoma and a serious right knee injury to reach the NFL. He showed in his Pittsburgh Steelers debut Sunday that he plans to stick around for a while.
The rookie running back from the University of Pittsburgh broke off runs of 17 and 19 yards, leading to Bart Houston's go-ahead, 6-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hunter in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh's 17-13 exhibition victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Conner was greeted with an ovation on the third series of the game when he made his first carry. The third-round pick busted off three other runs longer than 10 yards and had 98 yards rushing on 20 carries.
''With all the runs, I was getting more comfortable,'' Conner said. ''We kept ripping off big ones.''
Matt Ryan led the Falcons to a touchdown in his only series and finished 4 of 6 for 57 yards. In two series during the preseason, Ryan, the 2016 NFL's Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year, has gone 6 of 8 for 88 yards with a touchdown and a 123.6 passer rating.
Pittsburgh receiver Martavis Bryant played his first game more than 18 months.
The NFL suspended Bryant in March 2016 for a second violation of its substance abuse policy. He also opened the 2015 season with a four-game suspension because of multiple violations of the league's substance abuse policy. Bryant, who is still in the process of being fully reinstated by the league, remains suspended, but is permitted to participate in all preseason activities - including practices and games.
Steelers rookie Josh Dobbs targeted Bryant on the first play of the game, but the offense sputtered with consecutive three-and-outs. Dobbs, a fourth-round pick, was 10 of 19 for 70 yards with an interception.
Bryant, who had two catches for 20 yards, later fumbled an end-around, but made up for it with a 23-yard reception on a drive that ended with a field goal.
Tevin Coleman got the start at running back for the Falcons with Devonta Freeman previously ruled out with a concussion. But the Falcons' primary backfield focus was the competition for the third running back spot.
Terron Ward, who ran for 48 yards against Miami, was strong again Sunday. He finished with nine carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. Ward ran for 151 yards in five games last season.
Fifth-round pick Brian Hill rushed for 14 yards on seven carries. The former Wyoming product player also struggled in the team's first preseason game against Miami, gaining 10 yards on nine carries.
Falcons first-round pick Takkarist McKinley made his NFL debut.
The defensive end had surgery for a torn labrum and fractured right shoulder socket in March and was held out of the preseason opener. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound McKinley had 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss as a college senior last season at UCLA. He is expected to add punch to a pass rush that features Vic Beasley, who led the league with 15.5 sacks in 2016.
''He hasn't played since November,'' Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. ''For him, it was a long time to get back on the field. We are encouraged by his first time back and I know he was excited to get going.''
WIDE OUTS OUT
Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown and Atlanta's Julio Jones, two of the top receivers in the NFL, sat out Sunday.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin held out Brown for the second straight preseason game. Brown finished second in the league in receptions (106) and touchdowns (12) and fifth with 1,284 yards in 2016.
Jones was held out for the second straight preseason game following offseason foot surgery. Jones, who has reported no problems in his recovery, has been limited in training camp. The two-time All-Pro caught 136 passes in 2015, second-most in NFL history, and finished with 1,409 receiving yards last season.
ALSO MISSING
Freeman (concussion) was previously ruled out in what Quinn described as a precaution. Quinn previously said the injury is not expected to be a long-term issue. Freeman, the league's highest-paid running back, has rushed for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. He caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in the Falcon's first preseason game.
Tomlin held out quarterback Ben Roethlisberger out for the second straight preseason game. Backup Landry Jones also sat out with an abdominal injury.
BIG PLAYS
Pittsburgh's Trey Williams returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo had two sacks. Pittsburgh's Jordan Dangerfield picked off two passes, while Quincy Mauger and Akeem King had interceptions for the Falcons.
INJURY REPORT
Steelers nose tackle Javon Hargrave left in the first quarter with a concussion, and linebacker Steven Johnson sustained a hamstring injury.
QUOTABLE
Bryant on his return: ''I don't feel like anything changed. As far as the game speed, it's still the same. I'm just happy after last year to be out there.''
UP NEXT
Falcons: Host hosts Indianapolis on Saturday night.
Steelers: Host Arizona on Saturday night.
---
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
T. Ward
28 RB 37 RuYds, RuTD, 2 ReYds, REC |
9
FPTS
|
|
J. Conner
6 RB 98 RuYds, 3 ReYds, REC |
9
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. SimmsĀ
4 QB
6 FPTS
|
M. Simms | 15/29 | 197 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. RyanĀ
2 QB
2 FPTS
|
M. Ryan | 4/6 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. TorgersenĀ
9 QB
-1 FPTS
|
A. Torgersen | 2/8 | 25 | 0 | 1 | -1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. SchaubĀ
8 QB
0 FPTS
|
M. Schaub | 1/1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. WardĀ
28 RB
9 FPTS
|
T. Ward | 9 | 37 | 1 | 16 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. HillĀ
38 RB
1 FPTS
|
B. Hill | 7 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. SimmsĀ
4 QB
6 FPTS
|
M. Simms | 2 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. TaylorĀ
30 RB
0 FPTS
|
K. Taylor | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ColemanĀ
26 RB
0 FPTS
|
T. Coleman | 2 | -2 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
Re. DavisĀ
84 WR
7 FPTS
|
Re. Davis | 3 | 3 | 74 | 0 | 8 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. WilliamsĀ
15 WR
3 FPTS
|
N. Williams | 5 | 3 | 38 | 0 | 22 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. HallĀ
17 WR
3 FPTS
|
M. Hall | 8 | 2 | 34 | 0 | 18 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. DableĀ
16 WR
2 FPTS
|
A. Dable | 3 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 15 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. SanuĀ
12 WR
2 FPTS
|
M. Sanu | 2 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. HooperĀ
81 TE
2 FPTS
|
A. Hooper | 2 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 14 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. CherryĀ
88 WR
1 FPTS
|
B. Cherry | 3 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 17 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. GriswoldĀ
83 TE
1 FPTS
|
D. Griswold | 3 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. BurtonĀ
87 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Burton | 3 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. SaubertĀ
85 TE
0 FPTS
|
E. Saubert | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. PerkinsĀ
82 TE
0 FPTS
|
J. Perkins | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. WardĀ
28 RB
9 FPTS
|
T. Ward | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. HillĀ
38 RB
1 FPTS
|
B. Hill | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. PressleyĀ
26 RB
0 FPTS
|
J. Pressley | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
K. IshmaelĀ
36 SS
|
K. Ishmael | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. KeyesĀ
52 LB
|
J. Keyes | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. KazeeĀ
27 CB
|
D. Kazee | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ju. JonesĀ
11 WR
|
Ju. Jones | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Wreh-WilsonĀ
33 DB
|
B. Wreh-Wilson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. RileyĀ
42 OLB
|
D. Riley | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. MaugerĀ
41 DB
|
Q. Mauger | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. OdomĀ
93 DE
|
C. Odom | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. GoodwinĀ
29 CB
|
C. Goodwin | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. UpshawĀ
91 DE
|
C. Upshaw | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. CampbellĀ
59 OLB
|
D. Campbell | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. VellanoĀ
94 DT
|
J. Vellano | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. PooleĀ
34 CB
|
B. Poole | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. NealĀ
22 SS
|
K. Neal | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. LynnĀ
43 LB
|
J. Lynn | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WashingtonĀ
49 DB
|
D. Washington | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. MooreĀ
48 DB
|
J. Moore | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BranchĀ
35 DB
|
M. Branch | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. HagemanĀ
77 DT
|
R. Hageman | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. JarrettĀ
97 DT
|
G. Jarrett | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. NeasmanĀ
20 DB
|
S. Neasman | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. AlfordĀ
23 CB
|
R. Alford | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. TupouĀ
74 DT
|
T. Tupou | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. KingĀ
25 DB
|
A. King | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. BeasleyĀ
44 OLB
|
V. Beasley | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. OlatoyeĀ
30 CB
|
D. Olatoye | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. BryantĀ
3 K
0 FPTS
|
M. Bryant | 2/2 | 26 | 1/1 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. BosherĀ
5 P
|
M. Bosher | 7 | 45.4 | 0 | 56 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. RobertsĀ
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Roberts | 1 | 11.0 | 11 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
N. WilliamsĀ 15 WR
3 FPTS
|
N. Williams | 2 | 2.5 | 5 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. DobbsĀ
5 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Dobbs | 10/19 | 70 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. HoustonĀ
8 QB
4 FPTS
|
B. Houston | 5/9 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. ConnerĀ
30 RB
9 FPTS
|
J. Conner | 20 | 98 | 0 | 19 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. ToussaintĀ
33 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Toussaint | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BryantĀ
10 WR
2 FPTS
|
M. Bryant | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. HoustonĀ
8 QB
4 FPTS
|
B. Houston | 3 | -4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
S. CoatesĀ
14 WR
2 FPTS
|
S. Coates | 4 | 3 | 20 | 0 | 8 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. BryantĀ
10 WR
2 FPTS
|
M. Bryant | 3 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 23 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HunterĀ
11 WR
7 FPTS
|
J. Hunter | 7 | 3 | 16 | 1 | 9 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. JohnsonĀ
82 TE
1 FPTS
|
D. Johnson | 1 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F. ToussaintĀ
33 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Toussaint | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. JamesĀ
81 TE
0 FPTS
|
J. James | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. TuckerĀ
16 WR
0 FPTS
|
M. Tucker | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. ConnerĀ
30 RB
9 FPTS
|
J. Conner | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. RogersĀ
17 WR
0 FPTS
|
E. Rogers | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McGeeĀ
84 TE
0 FPTS
|
J. McGee | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Heyward-BeyĀ
88 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Heyward-Bey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
A. ChickilloĀ
56 OLB
|
A. Chickillo | 4-0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. FortĀ
54 LB
|
L. Fort | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. DavisĀ
28 SS
|
S. Davis | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. WilliamsĀ
98 ILB
|
V. Williams | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. CockrellĀ
31 CB
|
R. Cockrell | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. HugueninĀ
41 LB
|
F. Huguenin | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. TuittĀ
91 DE
|
S. Tuitt | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. GoldenĀ
21 SS
|
R. Golden | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. DangerfieldĀ
37 SS
|
J. Dangerfield | 2-0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. AlualuĀ
94 DE
|
T. Alualu | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WattĀ
90 LB
|
T. Watt | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BurnsĀ
25 CB
|
A. Burns | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. HeywardĀ
97 DE
|
C. Heyward | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HargraveĀ
79 NT
|
J. Hargrave | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. SensabaughĀ
24 DB
|
C. Sensabaugh | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. HiltonĀ
40 DB
|
M. Hilton | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. JohnsonĀ
51 LB
|
S. Johnson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. DucreĀ
38 DB
|
G. Ducre | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. WaltonĀ
96 DE
|
L. Walton | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. PhilonĀ
69 DE
|
R. Philon | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. MatakevichĀ
44 OLB
|
T. Matakevich | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. GalambosĀ
46 LB
|
M. Galambos | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. GoldenĀ
30 DB
|
M. Golden | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. GayĀ
22 CB
|
W. Gay | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. MaxeyĀ
95 DT
|
J. Maxey | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. BoswellĀ
9 K
0 FPTS
|
C. Boswell | 1/1 | 42 | 2/2 | 5 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. BerryĀ
4 P
|
J. Berry | 8 | 39.8 | 7 | 55 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. DavisĀ
34 RB
0 FPTS
|
K. Davis | 2 | 16.5 | 17 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F. ToussaintĀ
33 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Toussaint | 1 | 24.0 | 24 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. WilliamsĀ 35 RB
0 FPTS
|
T. Williams | 3 | 25.7 | 64 | 1 |