Steelers Not Ruling Najee Harris Out for Week 2

CINCINNATI — The Pittsburgh Steelers are hopeful that running back Najee Harris might not miss any time after suffering a foot injury late in the team’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Harris came off the field in the fourth quarter hobbling, threw his shoe on the sideline, and sat down to watch the end of the game rather than get treatment — a scene that did not inspire a lot of confidence about the running back’s future availability.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said only that Harris is being evaluated for a foot sprain, but according to Jordan Schultz of The Score, the team believes that not only did Harris not suffer any long-term damage, but that he could play in the team’s Week 2 game against the New England Patriots.

Source: Najee Harris “should be fine” after suffering ankle injury. I’m told it’s “not serious.” Steelers hoping their Pro Bowl RB can play Week 2 vs the #Pats.

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 12, 2022

That would be a big boost to a team that suffered a large number of potentially significant injuries on Sunday, including what is expected to be a long-term absence for reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt.

Harris was the only Steelers offensive player to find the end zone on Sunday, scoring a short swing pass from Mitch Trubisky. But on a day where the Pittsburgh offense struggled to get into gear throughout, even the Pro Bowl running back was limited. Harris finished the game with 23 yards on 10 carries for a paltry 2.3 yards per carry average and added two catches for three yards.

As a team, the Steelers averaged 3.4 yards per carry on the ground, with only jet sweeps by Chase Claypool buoying the median mark.

If Harris cannot play, rookie Jaylen Warren and veteran backup Benny Snell Jr. would play in his place. Warren had three carries for seven yards in his NFL debut against the Bengals, while Snell played exclusively on special teams.