The Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran running back Stevan Ridley after placing James Conner on the injured reserve list, the team announced on Tuesday.
"Unfortunate for him," head coach Mike Tomlin said of Conner's injury. "Liked the trajectory of where he is going and his career was going in 2017. He will get well and continue on with his career."
Ridley spent his first four seasons with the New England Patriots after being selected in the third-round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He enjoyed a career season in 2012, which included recording 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns on 290 rushing attempts, as well as six receptions for 51 yards.
Ridley totaled 2,817 yards and 22 touchdowns on 649 carries during his time in New England, which included scoring three touchdowns in five career playoff games.
Following a season-ending torn ACL injury in 2014, Ridley signed with the New York Jets in 2015 and appeared in eight games — including one start — before suffering a second season-ending injury.
The veteran back's last NFL game took place in 2016 as a member of the Atlanta Falcons. Ridley was last signed by the Minnesota Vikings in October, but was cut after the team activated wide receiver Michael Floyd.
