Najee Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers
Running Back #22
Pittsburgh Steelers
Running Back #22
© William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

Najee Harris News

Overcomes early fumble

Harris carried the ball 23 times for 84 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-14 win over the Browns. He added one catch for 10 yards.

Analysis: Harris topped 20 rushing attempts for the third time in his last four games, and he topped 80 rushing yards in six of Pittsburgh's final nine games to close the season. His effort Sunday was highlighted by a run of 11 yards and a trip to the end zone from four yards away. He narrowly missed a bigger performance, as he was denied at the goal line and was stripped of the ball early in the first quarter. Nevertheless, Harris has topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons in the NFL, and he also tallied 10 total touchdowns in both campaigns. He'll head into 2023 as the Steelers' lead back once again.

Jan 8, 2023 2:21 PM EST


Catches game-winning TD

Harris rushed 22 times for 111 yards and caught two of three targets for 12 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 16-13 win over Baltimore.

Analysis: Harris finally reached the century mark in rushing yards for the first time this season after coming close on several occasions. The physical back was able to gash one of the better run defenses for five yards per carry -- albeit sans star defensive tackle Calais Campbell (knee) -- after being limited to 33 yards on 12 carries when these same teams met in Week 14. The 24-year-old did most of his damage on the ground, but his primary highlight will be from the impressive catch he made at the corner of the end zone to seal the win late for Pittsburgh. Harris will remain a focal part of the offense as the Steelers attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Browns on Sunday.

Jan 1, 2023 8:31 PM EST



Racks up six catches

Harris rushed the ball 16 times for 53 yards in Saturday's 13-10 win over the Raiders. He added six receptions for 42 yards.

Analysis: Harris paced the Pittsburgh backfield, accounting for 16 of the 24 rushing attempts by skill-position players. However, he was largely stymied as a rusher and was held below 50 yards on the ground for the third time in the last five games. He still managed to salvage his performance with his most productive game of the season as a receiver, regularly serving as a dumpoff option for Kenny Pickett. Overall, Harris has at least 90 total yards in four of his last seven games, and he also has five touchdowns in that span.

Dec 24, 2022 8:57 PM EST


Good to go this week

Harris (hip) practiced fully Thursday and doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Saturday night's game against the Raiders, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Harris logged a 'DNP' on Wednesday, but his return to a full session Thursday puts the running back on track to be active and lead the Steelers' backfield in Week 16. In the team's 24-16 win over the Panthers this past Sunday, Harris logged 24 carries for 86 yards and a TD, while backup Jaylen Warren handled 12 touches for 49 yards and a touchdown. This weekend, the duo will be facing a defense that had trouble containing Rhamondre Stevenson (19/172/1) in the Raiders' Week 15 win over the Patriots.

Dec 22, 2022 2:22 PM EST


Held out of practice

Harris (hip) didn't practice Wednesday, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Analysis: It's a downgrade from Tuesday when Harris was listed as limited, though the Steelers didn't actually hold a practice just two days after their win over the Panthers. They face the Raiders on Saturday, with Jaylen Warren ready to pick up slack in the backfield if things go south with Harris' hip injury. He did miss practice last Wednesday with the same hip injury, then returned to full participation the next day and took 24 carries for 86 yards and a TD in the 24-16 win over Carolina (Warren added 12 touches for 49 yards and a TD on 34 percent of snaps).

Dec 21, 2022 2:43 PM EST



Starts week listed LP

Harris (hip) is listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's estimated practice report, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: The Steelers didn't actually practice but should get out on the field Wednesday and Thursday ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Raiders. Harris was listed with the hip injury last week and ended up taking 24 carries for 86 yards and a TD in a 24-16 win over Carolina, though he did cede 12 touches and 34 percent of offensive snaps to second-stringer Jaylen Warren.

Dec 20, 2022 12:53 PM EST


Scores in win

Harris rushed 24 times for 86 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-16 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Harris opened the scoring with a seven-yard touchdown rush during the first quarter. That score brought his total to five over his last five games. Although he wasn't particularly efficient while garnering a season high in carries, Harris still topped 80 rushing yards for the fourth time in his past six appearances. His production Sunday came without any targets in the passing game, but Harris nonetheless has found some solid late-season form.

Dec 18, 2022 1:02 PM EST


Returns to full practice

Harris (hip) practiced fully Thursday, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Harris sat out practice Wednesday due to a hip issue, but the running back's return to a full session Thursday puts him in line to suit up for Sunday's game against the Panthers and continue to lead the Steelers' backfield. In his team's 16-14 loss to the Ravens in Week 14, Harries carried 12 times for 33 yards and a TD, while adding two catches on three targets for 17 yards. He'll look to pick up the pace this weekend against a Carolina defense that has allowed an average of 128.8 rushing yards per game to date.

Dec 15, 2022 11:54 AM EST


Misses practice Wednesday

Harris (hip) didn't practice Wednesday, the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Harris managed an oblique issue at practice last week, with his listed hip injury a new concern. Thursday's injury report will add further context to the running back's status for Sunday's game against the Panthers, but if Harris is limited or out this weekend, Jaylen Warren and Benny Snell would be in line for added snaps in Week 15.

Dec 14, 2022 12:39 PM EST


Touchdown saves day

Harris rushed the ball 12 times for 33 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 16-14 loss to the Ravens. He added two receptions on three targets for 17 yards.

Analysis: Harris accounted for the majority of the work out of the Steelers' backfield, recording 12 of 18 carries by skill position players. However, as has been the case for much of the year, the team's offense struggled to produce consistently, limiting Harris' potential in turn. He didn't help matters, as his longest rush of the day went for only eight yards, and he averaged only 2.8 yards per carry. Harris saved his performance with a one-yard touchdown plunge late in the first quarter, his fifth score of the season. Prior to Sunday's game, Harris had totaled 90 or more total yards in three of four contests.

Dec 11, 2022 4:07 PM EST


No Week 14 injury designation

Harris (oblique) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens after practicing fully Friday, Brooek Pryor of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Harris steadily raised his practice participation over the course of the week, going from no practice to a limited session before upgrading to full participation Friday. He racked up 92 yards on 18 touches while playing through this oblique injury in Week 13, so Harris is expected to handle a full workload in this clash between AFC North rivals.

Dec 9, 2022 10:36 AM EST


Back at practice

Harris (oblique) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Harris didn't practice Wednesday, but the running back's return to the field Thursday bodes well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Ravens. Friday's final injury report will reveal whether Pittsburgh's top back heads into the weekend with an injury designation or fully cleared for Week 14 action.

Dec 8, 2022 12:47 PM EST


Misses practice Wednesday

Harris (oblique) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Harris managed an oblique issue last week before approaching this past Sunday's win over the Falcons minus an injury designation en route to logging 43 snaps in Week 13 and rushing 17 times for 86 yards, while adding one catch for six yards. With no reported setbacks in that contest, it's plausible that the running back's Wednesday absence is maintenance-related rather than indicative of a injury setback ahead of this weekend's game against the Ravens.

Dec 7, 2022 12:15 PM EST


Totals 92 yards against Falcons

Harris rushed the ball 17 times for 86 yards in Sunday's 19-16 win over Atlanta. He added one reception on one target for six yards.

Analysis: Harris appeared to be in jeopardy of missing Sunday's game, but he managed to suit up after logging only one limited practice during the week. He ceded some work to Benny Snell but still accounted for 17 of the team's 25 carries by either running backs or full backs. Harris was also fairly efficient with his opportunity, ripping off a pair of runs that went for more than 10 yards while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Harris has either topped 85 rushing yards or scored a touchdown in each of his last four games.

Dec 4, 2022 4:07 PM EST


Cleared to play Sunday

Harris (oblique) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons after returning to a limited practice Friday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: "I'll play," said Harris, who suffered an oblique injury against the Colts this past Monday. "I felt good. First day doing stuff. Just getting back to the movements and moving around. It felt good. Rest will help. That is what I was doing the past two days and letting it heal itself a little bit." Harris is thus slated to lead the Steelers' rushing attack this weekend and assuming no in-game setbacks, he should log enough volume to maintain fantasy utility in Week 13. Meanwhile, Harris' top backup Jaylen Warren, who was inactive versus Indianapolis, is listed as questionable after practicing fully this week and Benny Snell (knee, full practice Friday) is good to go versus Atlanta.

Dec 2, 2022 12:06 PM EST


Expects to play Sunday

Harris (oblique) plans to play Sunday against the Falcons, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Analysis: Harris didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but it looks like he'll be able to give it a go Sunday. Friday's final injury report will clarify whether the Steelers' top running back approaches the contest with a Week 13 injury designation or fully cleared to play this weekend.

Dec 2, 2022 9:51 AM EST


Logs another DNP

Harris (oblique) didn't practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Harris, who suffered an oblique injury against the Colts this past Monday, has now missed back-to-back sessions, though a return to practice in an capacity Friday would boost his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Falcons. If Harris ends up out or limited this weekend though, Jaylen Warren -- a full participant for the second day in a row after being inactive in Week 12 -- would be in line for an expanded role versus Atlanta.

Dec 1, 2022 1:08 PM EST


Misses practice with oblique injury

Harris didn't practice Wednesday due to a listed oblique injury, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Previous reports indicated that Harris suffered an abdominal injury in Monday's win over the Colts, but it appears as though an oblique issue is what's clouding the running back's status for Sunday's game against the Falcons. On the plus side in terms of the Steelers' Week 13 backfield prospects, Harris's top backup Jaylen Warren (hamstring) indicated that he has been cleared to play this weekend, a notion supported by his full practice participation Wednesday.

Nov 30, 2022 12:35 PM EST


Week 13 status TBD

Harris, who suffered an abdominal injury Monday night against the Colts, reportedly avoided a major injury in the contest, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Analysis: The report notes that Harris' status for this Sunday's game against the Falcons is up in the air, with the running back slated to be evaluated as the week progresses. If Harris is limited or out this weekend, Jaylen Warren and Benny Snell would be candidates for added Week 13 touches, though Warren is dealing with a hamstring issue that led to him being inactive versus Indianapolis. Meanwhile, RBs Anthony McFarland, Jason Huntley and Master Teague are depth options currently on the Steelers' practice squad.

Nov 30, 2022 8:23 AM EST


Suffers abdominal injury on MNF

Harris (abdomen) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Colts, Steelers Senior Director of Communications Burt Lauten reports.

Analysis: Harris spent some time talking to trainers on the sidelines in the second quarter after walking off gingerly, but he returned a few plays later to punch in a six-yard touchdown. He then went to the locker room in the final minutes of the first half and was subsequently ruled out at the start of the second half. With Jaylen Warren (hamstring) inactive, Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland are Pittsburgh's backfield options for the second half of MNF.

Nov 28, 2022 7:01 PM EST


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