Conner out vs. Saints, Smith-Schuster questionable

Running back James Conner will miss a third consecutive game when his Pittsburgh Steelers take on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday due to an ankle injury, while wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is questionable with a groin issue, the team announced Friday.

Conner will remain sidelined and leave the Steelers' backfield in the hands of Jaylen Samuels and Stevan Ridley. Samuels, a fifth-round rookie, racked up 142 rushing yards on 19 carries against the New England Patriots in Week 15, adding two catches for 30 yards.

Smith-Schuster left Thursday's practice and was listed as a non-participant on Friday. The sophomore wideout has been targeted 10 or more times in four of the past five games, topping 100 yards in three of those outings.

The Steelers enter the penultimate week of the regular season in first place in the AFC North with a record of 8-5-1.