PITTSBURGH — There are no limitations on James Conner. None.

Nine months after being diagnosed with lymphoma, the Pitt running back is cancer-free and atop the depth chart as the Panthers prepare to host Villanova in the 2016 opener on Saturday.

“I think he’s really enjoying the moment,” coach Pat Narduzzi said on Monday.

And while Narduzzi expects the sight of the 2014 ACC Player of the Year’s running out of the tunnel onto the Heinz Field turf to provide an emotional pregame high, Narduzzi understands the adrenaline will quickly wear off. That’s when the real work in determining just how far Pitt can go in Narduzzi’s second season will begin.

Though a healthy Conner will play a vital role, so will the development of a wide receiver group tasked with trying fill the void left by Tyler Boyd’s departure to the NFL. Senior Dontez Ford isn’t worried about trying to match Boyd’s production, mostly because it’s nearly impossible after Boyd needed just three years to turn the school record book into a dry erase board.

“I think it’s important for myself and all of our receivers to step up and produce,” Ford said. “We’re not too concerned with replacing his production.”

Especially if the Panthers want to exploit opposing defenses sure to cram as many men near the line of scrimmage as possible in hopes of stopping a running game that could be the best in the country. Ford gets the strategy. Heck he’d do it too if he was facing an offense that features Conner and 2015 ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year Qadree Ollison in the backfield.