A fifth-round pick of the New York Jets in 2010, Conner was waived with an injury settlement Oct. 18. After rehabbing his knee and hamstring, he had a tryout with Houston before getting the call from the Bengals after Chris Pressley suffered a season-ending knee injury Thursday night at Philadelphia.
“I was watching the game and I saw where he went down, so I figured I’d probably get a call,” Conner said. “With it happening on a Thursday, it’s been really beneficial to have the extra time to look over things before I do a lot in practice.”
Conner was a member of the Jets team that reached the AFC Championship in 2010, and he helped pave the way for tailback Shonn Green to record his first 1,000-yard season in 2011.
Kirkpatrick returns
Bengals rookie cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick was a full participant in practice Wednesday, his first true work since a concussion Dec. 2 at San Diego.
“The Bengals have taken the time to observe my injury and are managing it well,” said Kirkpatrick, who was listed as a full participant Dec. 10, but that was only a Monday walk-through ahead of last Thursday’s game at Philadelphia.
“I just think they’re doing a great job,” Kirkpatrick added. “I’ve passed all the questionnaires. Right now it’s just up to me seeing how I run and just me being true to them and letting them know if I’m having any symptoms and make sure I report them.”
Tackle Andrew Whitworth, who suffered a concussion against the Eagles, practiced on a limited basis, as did running back Cedric Peerman (ankle) and kicker Mike Nugent (calf).
Defensive end Carlos Dunlap was out with an illness.
Immaculate celebration
Sunday's game at Pittsburgh will mark the 40th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, which is the name given to what many consider the most memorable play in NFL history
Facing fourth-and-10 in the closing seconds of a first-round playoff game against the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh running back Franco Harris snatched a deflected pass from Terry Bradshaw and ran it in for a 60-yard, game-winning touchdown.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, at the time a 13-year-old growing up in the Pittsburgh suburb of McDonald, Pa., was asked Wednesday about his memories of the play.
“I was at Carlynton High School at a wrestling tournament,” Lewis said. “I didn’t see it live. It was Bill Cowher’s high school, actually. Back then you probably had to go to somebody’s house to see it on television. There wasn’t a TV out in the lounge or anything. But I do remember that day, though.”
The Steelers will salute Harris and other members of the team on the field at halftime Sunday.
Steelers’ status
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that Jonathan Dwyer will get his third start in the last four games at running back.
“It’s going to be Dwyer going into the game,” Tomlin said. “We’ll let the participation of these guys during the week in terms of practice dictate the division of labor, but we anticipate Jonathan being our lead guy.”
Dwyer had his breakout game in the first meeting against the Bengals, rushing 17 times for a career-high 122 yards. He leads the team in carries (131) and yards (532) this season.
Isaac Redman (101 carries, 380 yards) has started five games, while Rashard Mendenhall (34-113) has started four. Mendenhall was suspended for last week’s game against Dallas.
Tomlin also confirmed cornerback Ike Taylor will miss Sunday’s game with an ankle injury.
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