Mike Tomlin couldn't offer much of an update on the status of injured running back James Conner less than 12 hours after he left Monday night's 27-14 win over the Dolphins at Heinz Field with a shoulder injury.
But Tomlin did express some hope Conner would be available to the Steelers (3-4) Sunday when they host the Colts (5-2) at Heinz Field.
"I don't have a lot of information," Tomlin said. "One thing for sure, it's going to limit him in the early portions of the week. James has played enough ball that I'm starting to get comfortable with him. It doesn't require a week of work for him to play like it does some younger players. We'll play it by ear and check his availability on a day-to-day basis and let that be our guide in terms of his availability."
That could mean Conner could be a game-time decision against the Colts.
Conner had an MRI Tuesday on his injured right shoulder, which he hurt on the last of his 23 carries against the Dolphins just before the two-minute warning. The results of the MRI were not immediately known, but the Steelers are certain it's an AC joint injury -- of which there are varying levels of separation of the shoulder joint.
Conner had a season-high 145 rushing yards in the game, one off his career high, averaging 6.3 yards per rushing attempt, nearly twice his average entering the game.
He got so many carries -- a season high -- and was playing late in the game because backup Benny Snell had suffered a knee injury earlier in the game that also leaves him questionable to play against the Colts.
Snell had moved up to the No. 2 spot the past two games after Jaylen Samuels had a knee scope three weeks ago. Samuels practiced all of last week and is expected to play against the Colts.
"We'll see where the week leads us with two running backs receiving treatment and limiting their availability," Tomlin said. "Man, Jaylen Samuels' availability is right on time. Jaylen got a clean bill of health last week, but because of lack of work and the work of the others, we chose not to play him."
The only other running back on the roster is Trey Edmunds, who was elevated from the practice squad after Samuels had the knee procedure. Edmunds had one carry for no yards against the Dolphins after Conner was injured.
The lack of availability for Snell and a lack of a track record for Edmunds was a reason why Conner was in the game as the Steelers were running out the clock.
"(Edmunds) didn't get a lot of carries during the course of the week, so you're always worried about preparedness when you're talking about four-minute football, or close-the-game-out football," Tomlin said. "That's why I had some hesitancy there."
Conner leads the Steelers with 380 yards on 97 carries with four touchdowns and is second on the team with 29 receptions for 236 yards and two touchdowns.
He isn't the only player the Steelers could be missing against the Colts. Tomlin said left guard Ramon Foster is in concussion protocol after leaving Monday night's game at halftime. That makes his status up in the air to return on a short week. B.J. Finney would get the start if Foster is not cleared.
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