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A year after James Conner was the workhorse before getting injured, the Steelers added rookie Benny Snell and perceive a heartier role for pass-catching back Jaylen Samuels. Speaking with NFL Network for an interview that will air on NFL Total Access Monday night, Conner suggested he's preparing for a similar workload to last season.

"I'll have a similar role. I'm healthy, first and foremost, I'm 100 percent healthy now. We'll cross that bridge when we get there," Conner said of his workload this year.

Conner admitted there has been no deep discussion on his role this offseason, so he may only be speculating as rumblings out of Pittsburgh suggest spreading the ball around. As the story added, Tomlin has preferred his offense to use one back, and Conner proved last season he can be a dual threat. We think Conner is still deserving of a pick in the late first round, but his workload isn't a given right now.

James Conner is a workhorse. That’s what he is, what he does, what he is known for, what he is proud of and what he is good at.

But it might not be a part of his resume as early as Sept. 8, when the Steelers open the season in New England. And Conner’s OK with it especially if that leads to a healthy stretch run — something that alluded him in his Pro Bowl season last year.“The game has developed to the point where you have to use the skill set of your guys,” Faulkner said. “If you have guys who do something pretty well and you can use them to help your team and find ways to get them touches and balls, that’s what you have to do.”

That will mean finding opportunities for Jaylen Samuels, who is equally effective running and catching the ball, as well as fourth-round pick Benny Snell Jr.

Pittsburgh attempted the fewest rushes (21) per game of any NFL team last season. They averaged 22 more passes than runs per contest, and that was even when Conner was at full strength. It makes sense to utilize two strong backs, especially when health during the postseason is something potentially on the table. Conner should still see more carries than Samuels, but he'll likely lose some pass-down snaps in 2019.

Conner is currently being drafted as RB8, with Samuels and Snell leaving boards as RB43 and RB70 respectively.

In efforts to keep the edge that got him this far, James Conner will enter his third season with the hunger of a rookie looking for a job.

"You've got to earn it every day," he said in late December when asked if he's the tailback of the Steelers' future. "It's never enough when you think you've done enough. That's when you start to get on the decline. ... You've got to earn it every day, practice hard and show you belong. I definitely don't feel like I've done enough yet."

Related players: LeVeon Bell

The story said that's exactly what the Steelers like to hear, but Conner is selling himself a bit short. From teammates up to ownership, the Steelers have praised Conner's development in a sophomore season that included 973 rushing yards, 12 rushing TDs and an AFC Offensive Player of the Month award. Conner added 55 catches for 497 yards in a Steelers offense that relied heavily on the back for easy yardage off dump-offs. The story added Conner struggled with conditioning and blitz pickups as a rookie but was more than ready when he showed up for his second training camp. Of course, it's expected Bell will not be back with the Steelers in 2019, so as of now, Conner seems set to be the team's RB1 heading into 2019.

James Conner (ankle) is practicing in full in preparation for a must-win game for the Steelers. He should be on the field come Sunday.

Jaylen Samuels has done an admirable job in Conner's stead, but this job is his if he is on the field. Conner figures to be an elite RB1 in a must-win game against a terrible Bengals rush defense.