Pittsburgh Steelers: Studs and duds from Week 6 vs. Browns

Stud: James Conner, RB

Conner is playing like a man who wants a big contract this offseason. The former third-round pick carried the ball 20 times for 101 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and a touchdown against the Browns. Conner hasn’t had a 20-carry day since his 145-yard performance against Miami in last year’s Week 8 matchup.

Sunday marked Conner’s third 100-yard rushing performance of this season. For reference, he only ran for 100 yards once in 2019 and five times in his 2018 Pro Bowl campaign. The Steelers boast a top-ten rushing offense this year after finishing in the bottom five last season. Conner deserves a lot of credit for Pittsburgh’s turnaround.

As a team, the Steelers didn’t succeed on the ground outside of Conner’s carries. Benny Snell gained 17 yards on six carries while Anthony McFarland Jr. had three attempts for two yards. This raises the question, should Pittsburgh extend Conner?

Dud: Injuries

Second-year linebacker Devin Bush suffered an injury in the first half that Tomlin later described as “a significant knee injury.” Unfortunately, ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed fans’ worst fears after the game, tweeting that the former first-round pick tore his ACL and is out for the year.

Pittsburgh used the tenth overall pick on Bush last year, making him one of the team’s highest chosen players in recent history. As a rookie, the Michigan product recorded 104 tackles, two interceptions, and four fumble recoveries. He has a nose for the football, but Steelers fans won’t see the young linebacker retake the field until 2021.

Bush finishes his 2020 season with 26 tackles, a sack, and three passes defensed.