The Steelers will head into Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals without two of their offensive weapons for the third straight week.
Both James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster have been ruled out for the game, another week for young players to step up and make an impact.
Conner has been out for two games with a shoulder injury suffered against the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 14 on Thursday Night Football. He has missed five of the last six games with injuries.
Conner said he likes what he has seen from the backs in his absence, and he is hoping it continues.
"I am proud of them," said Conner. "They have all done great. It's been a group effort. It's been cool to see."
One of those players who have been stepping up big time is Benny Snell.
"All of the young guys have been ready when the time has come and it's showing," said Snell. "Hopefully we can keep it up. J.C. (Conner) has done a great job of helping me develop as the player I have started to become. I am thankful for what he is teaching me. That has been helping me on and off the field. It gives me motivation he always has my back. Going forward towards the game I am prepared. I am ready."
As far as the receivers go, young players like James Washington, Diontae Johnson and Tevin Jones have been getting the job done with Smith-Schuster out, and they have become deep threats for Devlin Hodges.
"I think we have had a pretty good comfort level just because I had a lot of reps in practice with those guys, especially the younger guys like James, Diontae and Tevin Jones," said Hodges. "A month ago, me and Tevin, I was throwing him the ball every rep in scout team. There has a comfort level and now it is good to still do it in game."
The full injury report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 14
Game Status
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Knee) - Out
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - Out
Friday, December 6
WR Diontae Johnson (Illness) - Full
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Knee) - DNP
LB Mark Barron (NIR/Knee) - Limited
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - Limited
TE Vance McDonald (NIR) - Full
G Ramon Foster (NIR) - Full
Thursday, December 5
WR Diontae Johnson (Illness) - Full
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Knee) - DNP
LB Mark Barron (NIR) - Full
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - Limited
TE Vance McDonald (NIR) - Full
G Ramon Foster (NIR) - DNP
Wednesday, December 4
WR Diontae Johnson (Illness) - Limited
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Knee) - DNP
LB Mark Barron (NIR) - DNP
RB James Conner (Shoulder) - Limited
TE Vance McDonald (NIR) - DNP
Arizona Cardinals Participation/Injury Report, Week 14
Game Status
CB Byron Murphy (Calf) - Questionable
CB Kevin Peterson (Shoulder) - Questionable
OL Max Garcia (Toe) - Questionable
OL A.Q. Shipley (Illness) - Questionable
S Jalen Thompson (Concussion) - Questionable
Friday, December 6
CB Byron Murphy (Calf) - Limited
CB Kevin Peterson (Shoulder) - Limited
LB Terrell Suggs (NIR) - DNP
WR Larry Fitzgerald (NIR) - Full
DL Corey Peters (NIR) - Full
OL A.Q. Shipley (Illness) - Limited
OL Max Garcia (Toe) - Full
OL J.R. Sweezy (Illness) - Full
S Jalen Thompson (Concussion) - Full
OL Lamont Gaillard (Thumb) - Full
Thursday, December 5
DL Jonathan Bullard (Hamstring) - IR
WR Larry Fitzgerald (NIR) - Full
DL Corey Peters (NIR) - Full
OL A.Q. Shipley (Illness) - DNP
OL Max Garcia (Toe) - Limited
OL J.R. Sweezy (Illness) - Limited
S Jalen Thompson (Concussion) - Limited
OL Lamont Gaillard (Thumb) - Full
Wednesday, December 4
DL Jonathan Bullard (Hamstring) - DNP
WR Larry Fitzgerald (NIR) - DNP
DL Corey Peters (NIR) - DNP
OL J.R. Sweezy (Illness) - DNP
S Jalen Thompson (Concussion) - Limited
OL Lamont Gaillard (Thumb) - Full
