As an NFL player, James Conner had a decision to make like the rest of his union brethren: opt in or opt out of the 2020 season.
As a cancer survivor, Conner’s decision was a bit more complicated than most of his fellow players.
Conner, the fourth-year Steelers running back who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma late in November of 2015, received chemotherapy once every two weeks as part of his treatment. He was declared cancer-free six months later in May of 2016.
Oncologists are still learning about the affects of COVID-19 on cancer survivors, but some cancer patients that received chemotherapy are more susceptible to serious illness and infections due to weakened immune systems. Others, in time, return to normal immune function.
As 66 NFL players were opting out over the past few weeks, Conner said the thought never crossed his mind.
“I’m going on four years now removed from cancer, so I didn’t have to talk to my family,” Conner said Wednesday morning. “It was never a concern for me. I’ve been healthy for years. It was an easy decision for me. Not much thought went into it. I wanted to play football. My immune system is back healthy, so I’m not worried.”
The Steelers were one of three NFL teams that did not have a player opt out. In addition to Conner, at least one other Steelers player is considered at risk. Defensive lineman Cam Heyward has asthma, but he plans to play the season.
“Knowing how competitive he is, it was never a real thought in my head,” running backs coach Eddie Faulkner said of Conner opting to play the season. “It was never anything that was approached in any conversations we had. To be honest with you, I fully expected him to be a full participant. That’s just how he’s built.”
The news certainly was welcome for the Steelers. Conner is the most-experienced running back on the roster. They have invested draft picks in running backs in each of the past three years, including Anthony McFarland, a fourth-round pick out of Maryland in the spring. But it’s not like there is a ton of game experience or production behind Conner.
Third-year back Jaylen Samuels and second-year back Benny Snell got some action last season when Conner was injured, but the Steelers have come to rely on Conner’s all-around game. When he is healthy, it’s not unusual for him to play 70-80% of the snaps in any given game due to his versatility as a runner, receiver and blocker.
The problem is Conner has had trouble staying healthy, and the 2020 season is big for him as a result.
Conner is playing out the final year on his rookie deal and must prove he can stay on the field. He’s missed 11 of a possible 48 games since entering the league in 2017. He is coming off an injury-riddled 2019 season in which he missed six games. He had just 464 rushing yards and averaged a career-low 4.0 yards-per-carry.
It was a disappointing year after he made the Pro Bowl in 2018 when he amassed 1,470 yards from scrimmage and scored 13 touchdowns.
Conner posted his workout videos throughout the offseason, showing off a chiseled physique, but he said Wednesday his approach to preparing for the season did not change much after injuries ruined his 2019 season.
“No, I just worked hard,” he said. “That’s all there is to it. You just have a work ethic. Every year you attack it, give it all you got in the offseason to prepare for the season. It’s the game of football. Injuries are going to happen, so I don’t really pay attention to what anyone says, honestly.
“As long as the people who make the important decisions believe in me, that’s really all that matters. I really don’t care what anybody else thinks. The ones who make all the important decisions, they believe in me, and I believe in myself. I’ll leave it at that.”
