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.

Monday, September 8, 6:06 PM

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that the team planned to give running back Najee Harris 12 to 15 plays in the Week 1 season opener last Friday in Brazil against the Kansas City Chiefs and capped him at 12. However, Harbaugh said Harris' workload could change in a Week 2 divisional clash on Monday night against the Las Vegas Raiders. Harris was only on the field for 12 plays last Friday in the 27-21 win but managed just one carry for five yards while catching his only target for another five-yard pickup. Meanwhile, first-round rookie Omarion Hampton led the Bolts' backfield with 15 carries for 48 yards (3.2 yards per tote) while adding two catches for 13 yards. Harris missed almost all of training camp and the entire preseason with an eye injury, which is why L.A. eased him in. While he could see the field more in Week 2, he still won't be much more than a shaky RB3/flex in fantasy.