NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo is reporting that Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner is going to need knee surgery after suffering an injury in Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

Steelers RB James Conner likely will need surgery on his knee after injuring it yesterday, source says. Timeline for his recovery is unclear but at least a few weeks. — Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 18, 2017

It’s hard to imagine that even if it is minor surgery Conner will be able to contribute over the remainder of the regular season. And if Conner can’t go that means there’s only one guy for the job of the backup spot to Le’Veon Bell.

And that is DeAngelo Williams. Even though he hasn’t been on an NFL roster all season he is very much still a Steeler. He identifies as one and lives and dies with this team from a distance. Here’s his reaction to the end of yesterday’s game as if there was any doubt.

We are all hoping for a full and speedy recovery for Conner but in the interim, there’s no better player out there than Williams for the job.

Williams spent two seasons with the Steelers. In that stretch he started 14 games and rushed for 1,250 yards. He was invaluable filling in for Bell when he was suspended and injured in 2015 and 2016. Let’s hope Williams has his ringer on and Pittsburgh didn’t lose his number.