James Conner injury history: Complete timeline of Cardinal RB's missed games, from MCL sprain to latest foot injury

Daniel Mader

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James Conner injury history: Complete timeline of Cardinal RB's missed games, from MCL sprain to latest foot injury image

Few NFL running backs have been as consistent as James Conner since he entered the league in 2017.

A third-round pick out of Pitt in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Conner, and he quickly became the team's lead back. After being a backup to Le'Veon Bell in his rookie campaign, Conner made a bigger name for himself in 2018 and never let go of his RB1 role, even after joining the Arizona Cardinals in 2021.

However, while Conner has been an effective weapon for his two squads, he's also struggled to remain on the field for a full season in the NFL. The running back has never appeared in all 17 games in a season, meeting the 15-game mark just twice in nine years due to various injuries.

Here's a breakdown of Conner's full injury history, including his time in college.

MORE: Joe Burrow's full injury history, from Ohio State and LSU to turf toe issue

James Conner injury history

Torn MCL, September 2015, Pitt

In September 2017, Pitt announced that Conner would undergo season-ending surgery on his right knee for a torn medial collateral ligament. The injury happened during the second quarter of Pitt's 45-37 win over Youngstown State, and while it was considered minor at first, further testing unveiled the severity.

"I greatly appreciate everyone's support and well wishes," Conner said at the time, per Pitt Athletics. "This is a temporary setback and I'm going to work even harder to bounce back. Even though I won't be able to play this season, I'm going to be right beside my teammates and help them every way I can to have a great season."

During Conner's rehab process from the injury, he was also diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Tests had revealed tumors in Conner’s head and chest in December 2015, per USA Today, and Conner said at the time that he was committed to his return to football.

“I will play football again. I will be at Heinz Field again. I have the best coaches and teammates in the country," Conner said, per USA Today. "I thank God I chose Pitt because now I also have the best doctors in the country and together we will win. I know this city has my back."

In May 2016, Conner was declared cancer-free after six months of treatments.

Shoulder A/C joint sprain, July 2017, Steelers

Conner's first injury in the NFL came before the start of his rookie season. He was dealing with a sprained right AC joint, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that the time that it was considered "minor," per ESPN.

The running back did not miss any time with the injury, healthy when the 2017 season began.

MCL injury, December 2017, Steelers

Toward the end of his rookie season, Conner was placed on IR by Pittsburgh with an MCL injury. Conner finished his rookie season with 144 rushing yards on 32 carries, as he had exited a matchup against the New England Patriots with the knee ailment.

For Conner, it was his second right MCL injury in two years, going back to his college days. The injury ended his rookie year as he was put on IR, missing the final two regular season games and a playoff game. He appeared in a total of 14 games in 2017.

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Leg sprain, December 2018, Steelers

Conner broke out in 2018, but he did miss a few games. On Dec. 2, 2018, he left a matchup against the Chargers with a leg injury, with Tomlin calling it a "sprain." The running back wound up missing multiple weeks, returning on Dec. 30 against the Bengals.

In the 2018 season, Conner totaled 973 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.

Shoulder A/C joint sprain, October 2019, Steelers

Conner exited the Steelers' matchup against the Miami Dolphins in October 2019 with a shoulder injury, with his right arm in a sling following the game. Tomlin said it was another A/C joint injury for Conner; the injury occurred late in the fourth quarter of a 27-14 Steelers win. Conner had 145 yards and a touchdown in that matchup.

The running back wound up missing two games with that injury, returned in Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns, but then exited again and missed another game. 

Leg quad strain, December 2019, Steelers

Later in the 2019 season, Conner was dealing with a quad injury on top of the previous shoulder ailment. He left the game in a Week 16 matchup against the New York Jets due to the quad injury, then didn't practice all week before being ruled out for a Week 17 game vs. the Baltimore Ravens.

Pittsburgh missed the playoffs in 2019, as Conner finished with just 10 games played due to his various injuries. He had 464 rushing yards and four touchdowns in those games.

Ankle sprain/pull, September 2020, Steelers

In the Steelers' 2020 season-opener against the New York Giants, Conner left with a sprained left ankle in the second quarter. Adam Schefter reported at the time that Pittsburgh was "optimistic for a timely return.”

That was the case, as Conner returned in Week 2 to post 106 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in a win over the Denver Broncos.

Leg quad strain, December 2020, Steelers

Conner missed the Steelers' "MNF" matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020 due to a quad injury. That ailment also came on the heels of Conner missing two games on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Conner had been questionable for the matchup as a limited participant in practice, but couldn't play against Cincinnati in what became a 27-17 loss for the Steelers. However, the running back was back in action for Week 16.

Back lower lumbar sprain, January 2021, Steelers

As the 2020 season rolled into January 2021, Conner once again dealt with an injury for the Steelers. Around Week 17, he had a lower lumbar sprain, per Draft Sharks, which made him a limited participant in practice.

Conner did not miss any time with the ailment though, as he finished the 2020 regular season with 721 rushing yards and six touchdowns over 13 games played. Pittsburgh then fell to Cleveland in the wild-card round.

Turf toe, April 2021, Cardinals

During the 2021 offseason, not long after he became free agent, Conner underwent surgery for " a very moderate turf toe-type injury" which "incurred while riding in a recreational vehicle," according to Ian Rapoport.

Around that same time, Conner made a visit to Arizona with the potential to join the Cardinals. With the toe injury considered minor, the Cardinals then proceeded to ink the running back to a one-year deal for the 2021 season before signing an extension the following offseason.

Ankle sprain/pull and heel bruise, December 2021, Cardinals

Conner's history with minor injuries continued into his stint with Arizona, as in December 2021, he was listed with an ankle sprain, then a heel bruise. The ankle injury in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Rams did not cause Conner to miss any time, but he was then listed with the heel injury in Week 14.

The running back missed two games toward the end of Arizona's season, but returned for Week 18. He finished the 2021 season with 752 rushing yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns over 15 games.

Chest rib sprain/pull, October 2022, Cardinals

Conner missed four games in the 2022 season. In Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles, he left with the rib injury that caused him to sit out until Week 9. 

Shin bruise, January 2023, Cardinals

After missing three games with his rib injury earlier in the season, Conner then sat out the Cardinals' Week 18 matchup in January 2023 due to a shin injury that he left with the prior game.

Conner finished the 2022 season with 782 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games. 

MCL strain, October 2023, Cardinals

Once again, Conner played in 13 games in 2023. In a Week 5 game against the Bengals, he left with a knee injury that resulted in him being placed on IR. 

Conner did return at his first opportunity in November, putting up strong numbers to finish the season with 1,040 rushing yards, a new career-high.

Knee hyperextension, December 2024, Cardinals

Conner had his healthiest season in the NFL yet in 2024, playing in 16 games. But he missed Week 18, as the running back had suffered a knee injury in Week 16 that he re-aggravated the following game against the Rams.

After exiting in Week 17, Conner did not return to the gridiron for the 2024 season, finishing with another career-high with 1,094 rushing yards. 

Foot injury, September 2025, Cardinals

The latest injury for Conner is expected to be a more serious one than many minor ailments he's dealt with in the NFL. In Week 3 of the 2025 season against the San Francisco 49ers, Conner suffered a right foot injury that is expected to sideline him for the remainder of the season.

In the Week 3 game, Conner had to be carted off the field. Initially, it was announced as an ankle injury, but the Cardinals then clarified that the injury affected his foot.

"One of your leaders, a captain. You hate that it happened," head coach Jonathan Gannon said of Conner, per NFL.com. "I feel terrible, but I know he'll take the right attitude and bounce back. Picking up that slack, both the player and the person, we're all going to have to collectively do it, truthfully. But that's a bummer just like all of our guys who've gotten hurt. But just knowing what type of player and person he is it's tough to replace, but we have to. So that's what we'll do."

Conner then posted on social media that he will "smile in the face of adversity."

Daniel Mader

Daniel Mader is a Content Producer for The Sporting News. He joined SN in 2024 as an editorial intern following graduation from Penn State University. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. Daniel grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.