PITTSBURGH -- James Conner doesnt care where he plays, how he plays or how much he plays, he just wants to play football.That was the driving force behind the Pitt redshirt junior running backs six-month recovery from Hodgkin lymphoma, and toward that end, he joined his teammates Monday in the Panthers first day of training camp.Conner was diagnosed in November but continued training and working out during his chemotherapy, even participating in spring practices with a surgical mask to protect his weakened immune system. In May, was declared cancer free by his medical team.Throughout, the goal was to get back on the football field.Being out there with my teammates who competed all summer with me and who stuck by my side through my whole journey, its just awesome to be back, Conner said after completing his first practice.Even before his diagnosis, Conners 2015 had taken a frustrating turn. He tore his medial collateral ligament in Pitts season opener against Youngstown State and wasnt able to return.That means Conner has a decent amount of rust to shake off to return to the form that made him the ACC Player of the Year in 2014, when he rushed for 1,765 yards and scored 26 touchdowns. Physically, he has no limitations, but to get his timing back, its all about getting reps in camp.Just getting the feel, he said. You have to be in shape, just getting the feel and getting back into the rhythm of things. Thatll come with reps in practice. Every day, I work on every part of my game. Its just taking reps, getting back into my rhythm. It wont take long.Its the mental part of the game that you need, agreed coach Pat Narduzzi. Its not just running the ball. Some people might think that playing running back is easy -- you just carry the ball and find a whole. But theres a lot more to it than that.In Conners absence, Qadree Ollison turned in a 1,121-yard season that earned him ACC Offensive Freshman of the Year honors. Theyll be joined by senior Rachid Ibrahim, sophomore Darren Hall and freshman Chawntez Moss in what could be a crowded backfield.Theyve proven that they can carry the load, Conner said of his backfield mates. Im just helping out now, theyve established and proved to themselves that they can compete in the ACC. Without me, they had something great going. Im just trying to add to it.The plethora of running talent has led to new offensive coordinator Matt Canada tinkering with some multi-back sets and with Conner lining up at wide receiver from time to time this season. Conner did some pass-catching drills on the first day in addition to working out with the first team at running back.There are times where youll see two or three tailbacks out there -- maybe four, who knows, Narduzzi said. Well find out here in the end. We have really good competition there from James to the young guys.Wherever he ends up and whatever his role will be, Conner feels forever changed by his experience.Its bigger than the game of football, he said. Its bigger than myself. The impact that Ive had on others, I dont take that for granted any more. Im just thankful to God. You wont hear me complain, my teammates wont ever hear me complain again and they wont be complaining, either. Anything is better than receiving chemotherapy. Id rather be out here playing football.With one milestone checked off, Conner can turn his thoughts to the season opener Sept. 3 vs. Villanova, and his ultimate goal of leading the Panthers back out of the tunnel at Heinz Field. Colorado Avalanche Pro Shop .J. Ellis hit two-run homers and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 Saturday night. Colorado Avalanche Shirts .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/ . Its the second straight game Bell has scored in extra time for Kelowna, which beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-5 on Friday, and he now has four game-winning goals on the season. Avalanche Jerseys 2020 . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Custom Colorado Avalanche Jerseys . But now that hes in the NHL, the Calgary Flames centre showed big improvement in that department by scoring the winner in the eighth round of a 5-4 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. He may have only one NRL season under the belt, but Nathan Cleary is on Laurie Daleys radar as a NSW representative.The 19-year-old Penrith playmaker, who played 15 games in his rookie year, has been named in the Blues 13-man State of Origin emerging squad.The Panthers have the most inclusions - affirming their status as a team of the future with Clearys teammates Bryce Cartwright and Reagan Campbell-Gillard also picked.Recent Australian debutants Shannon Boyd from Canberra and Manlys Jake Trbojevic, who ran out in the Kangaroos Four Nations campaign, have been included.Blues coach Daley has also confirmed Canberra star Joey Leiluas representative prospects after he was unlucky to miss out on Kangaroos selection.Troubled Brisbane centre James Roberts will also spend time with Daleey and his advisor Peter Sterling when the squad gathers in January.ddddddddddddEach of the players has a realistic chance of making the Origin team for 2017, Daley said.Emerging NSW squad: Shannon Boyd (Canberra Raiders), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers), Bryce Cartwright (Penrith Panthers), Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans), Joey Leilua (Canberra Raiders), Jordan McLean (Melbourne Storm), Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters), Junior Paulo (Canberra Raiders), Nathan Peats (Gold Coast Titans), James Roberts (Brisbane Broncos), Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles). 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