PITTSBURGH -- A plastic bag of ice rested in front of James Conner's right foot as the running back sat facing out from his locker.

The Steelers had just lost to the Los Angeles Chargers, 33-30, despite Conner's four yards per carry and two touchdowns on 15 runs. He left the game, having limped then collapsed, with 4:51 remaining. His replacement scored the touchdown that all but tied the eventual loss.

And while Pittsburgh still holds a half-game lead in the AFC North after the defeat, a serious injury to Conner would threaten the season as a whole and its Super Bowl aspirations.

Still sitting in his locker room chair, talking to a teammate, Conner rubbed a mark above his right ankle. Running backs coach James Saxon paused on his way out of the room and took a couple steps toward Conner, who motioned to his leg and mouthed aloud "... it's all good."

Head coach Mike Tomlin said he has a lower leg contusion.

With Roosevelt Nix following quickly behind him, Conner walked - not limped - out of the locker room.