Who Should I Start? Damien Harris or Najee Harris

Monday, March 25, 9:07 PM

Former New England Patriots running back Damien Harris announced his retirement from professional football on Monday at age 27. The Patriots selected Harris in the third round (87th overall) in the 2019 NFL draft out of Alabama, and he had 449 rushing attempts for 2,094 yards and 20 touchdowns in his four years in New England in 38 regular-season games (34 starts) while adding 40 receptions on 51 targets for an additional 281 receiving yards. Harris spent the 2023 campaign with the Buffalo Bills but played in only six games before suffering a season-ending concussion/neck injury that saw him be taken off the field in an ambulance. He'll end his NFL career after just five seasons, recording 2,188 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 427 carries with the Pats and Bills.

Thursday, July 17, 1:12 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers officially announced on Thursday that they placed running back Najee Harris (eye) on the Non-Football Injury list after he suffered a superficial eye injury during a fireworks mishap back on the Fourth of July. While Harris is expected to be a full-go for the start of the 2025 regular season in early September, he isn't going to be on the field for the start of training camp on Thursday. It's not a great start for the 27-year-old's first year in L.A., especially after they drafted big-play RB Omarion Hampton in the first round in April, but Harris is not expected to be out for long in camp and can be activated from the NFI list at any time. Despite his injury being minor, it will make Hampton more attractive as an RB2 in fantasy with upside going into his first NFL campaign. Harris has four straight 1,000-yard seasons, but his big-play ability has been lacking.