Niner Noise
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4 Steelers players 49ers should worry about in Week 3

By Peter Panacy

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 19: Kendall Hunter #32 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to put a move on Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steeler at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 20-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 19: Kendall Hunter #32 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to put a move on Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steeler at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 20-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 08: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 08: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Running Back James Conner

James Conner also suffered an injury in Week 2, exiting the game with a knee injury.

But he later went on to state he would be ready to go for the Steelers’ road bout against the 49ers this Sunday, citing “no tears or anything significant with his knee.”

Conner, like the Steelers, has been off to a slow start this season, boasting a mere 54 rush yards, one touchdown and an average of 2.6 yards per carry. While he has also contributed 56 receiving yards through the air, these aren’t the kind of numbers Pittsburgh was hoping for in 2019.

That could change in Week 3, though.

One would figure Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin would be wise to take the pressure off Mason Rudolph by feeding Conner early and often at San Francisco, which means the Niners run defense will have to be on point.

Add to that Rudolph’s preference for play-action passes, and it’s not hard understanding why Conner could end up shouldering a good deal of the load in Week 3.