Pittsburgh Steelers

Rookie RB Conner left off Steelers' initial depth chart

LATROBE — LATROBE - The Steelers left rookie running back James Conner off the

but 12 other players who are dealing with injuries, suspensions or haven't reported to camp were also nowhere to be found.

It's important to understand it's still very early in the process of building the roster for the upcoming season. Le'Veon Bell still has not signed his franchise tag and therefore has not reported to Saint Vincent College. Martavis Bryant is still awaiting full reinstatement by the NFL and Landry Jones is dealing with an abdominal strain.

TRENDING NOW:

I am, however, a little surprised at where second-round draft pick JuJu Smith-Schuster is listed. He's the third WR2, behind Darrius Heyward-Bey and Justin Hunter, but I suspect Mike Tomlin wants to send a message that he won't hand out jobs simply because you're a high pick.

With Bell still not in camp and Conner nursing a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, Fitzgerald Toussaint leads the running back room as the number one option, followed by Knile Davis, Terrell Watson, Trey Williams and Brandon Brown-Dukes.

Among those on the "not participating as of Aug. 8" list are: Jones, Bryant, Bell, Conner, WR Sammie Coates, WR Demarcus Ayers, CB Cam Sutton, FS Mike Mitchell, CB Senquez Golson, C Maurkice Pouncey, C Mike Matthews and OLB Keion Adams.