James Conner Injury Gives Steelers Every Chance to Learn What They Have in Benny Snell

The Pittsburgh Steelers have admirably posted a 7-5 record despite a rash of issues throughout the season. That includes the injuries to the running back position.

Starter James Conner has been limited to eight games this season due to numerous shoulder injuries, which will once again force him from action this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

This will allow Pittsburgh to see what they have in rookie running back Benny Snell.

Conner originally suffered his shoulder injury in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins in Week 8. After missing the next two games, Conner re-aggravated his shoulder, and has been out ever since.

Ironically, Snell returned from a knee surgery that knocked him out for Weeks 9-11, and has shined over starter Jaylen Samuels.

In his first career start in Week 12, Snell rushed for 98 yards on 21 carries against the Cincinnati Bengals. The rookie out of Kentucky only improved this past week against the Cleveland Browns, rushing for 63 yards and his first career touchdown on 16 carries as the team's No. 2 back on the depth chart.

The success of Snell shouldn't come as a surprise, considering he rushed for over 1,000 yards in all three seasons at Kentucky.

With James Conner yet to be cleared from his shoulder ailment, there's a strong possibility that Snell gets plenty of playing time in very important moments down the stretch for the playoff-hopeful Steelers.