Reports: Free agent RB James Conner visiting Arizona Cardinals on Monday

Free agent running back James Conner is visiting the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, reports FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer.

Conner, a third-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017, rushed for 721 yards and six touchdowns at 4.3 yards per carry last season. He also caught 35 passes on 43 targets for 215 receiving yards.

Conner is one of the top free agent backs left on the market.

He is recovering from a toe injury suffered while riding in a recreational vehicle, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, but is expected to be healthy by June. He will take a physical in Arizona on Monday, Rapoport adds.

The 25-year-old Conner was a Pro Bowler in 2018, his second NFL season, as a breakout star who took advantage of franchise-tagged running back Le’Veon Bell’s holdout that year.

Conner recorded 13 total touchdowns, rushed for 973 yards on 4.5 yards per tote and added 497 receiving yards that year.

The 6-foot-1, 233-pound running back would bring a downhill, power running style to Arizona, complementing the versatile Chase Edmonds.

The Cardinals this offseason allowed last year’s primary running back, Kenyan Drake, to leave for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.

That means Edmonds returns as the top back but also as the only one on the roster with significant playing experience. Edmonds rushed for 448 yards and caught 53 passes for 402 receiving yards last season.

Behind Edmonds on the current depth chart is second-year undrafted pro Jonathan Ward, who received only a handful of offensive snaps in 2020. Fellow second-year pro and 2020 seventh-round pick Eno Benjamin, an Arizona State product, is also under contract but did not play during his rookie season.

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