Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray donned a Sidney Crosby jersey as he arrived Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, but it’s another Pittsburgh star who stole the show.
James Conner, a former Erie McDowell and Pitt star, carried the Cardinals to a 35-31 victory with a 128-yard, 2-touchdown performance. It was Conner’s 13th 100-yard game and 10th receiving touchdown.
Conner scored two crucial touchdowns in the second half — one to tie the game at 21 in the third quarter and one to take a 35-31 lead with 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
He raced across the end zone in the third quarter, with the Cards trailing by eight, and with one arm held by the Eagles defensive back, he reeled in a one-handed touchdown snag. And with the Cards trailing by three late in the fourth, Conner dove into the end zone from two yards out for the win.
It was the continuation of a successful season for Conner, despite a knee injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5 that held him out for about a month, as he’s racked up 181 carries for 890 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and five touchdowns — adding 23 receptions for 111 yards and two more touchdowns.
Conner is within striking distance of setting a career-high for rushing yards in a season, which currently sits at 973 yards with the Steelers in 2018.
Conner, who started his NFL career with the Steelers after a standout career at Pitt, has racked up 1,046 carries for 4,467 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 48 touchdowns — adding 221 receptions for 1,674 yards and eight touchdowns through the air.
He’s in the midst of his third season in Arizona, his seventh season in the NFL, after being drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Conner has one more season on his contract, and he will hit free agency in 2025 as a 30-year-old running back without too much tread on his tires.
The Pgh sports media slime said Connor was no good either. Called for him to be replaced, blah blah blah. So glad he came back to town and made them eat large crow.