QNajee Harris RB FA Mon 10/7/24 1:11 AM
QNajee Harris
RB FA
Harris rushed 14 times for 42 yards and caught both of his targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Cowboys.
EDGE Analysis
Harris handled 16 touches while Aaron Shampklin and Jonathan Ward combined for six touches in a Pittsburgh backfield operating without Jaylen Warren (knee) and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle). Warren and Patterson are both more fluid pass catchers than Harris, but Harris stepped up in that regard Sunday, leading Pittsburgh's unimpressive passing attack in receiving yards. The power back plodded to just 3.0 yards per carry but picked up a key fourth-and-1 with a one-yard run in the fourth quarter, extending a drive that ended with a go-ahead Pat Freiermuth touchdown catch. Harris should continue to get the majority of touches in Pittsburgh's backfield against the Raiders in Week 6, even if Warren and Patterson are ready to return.
QNajee Harris RB FA Sun 9/29/24 7:27 PM
QNajee Harris
RB FA
Harris carried the ball 13 times for 19 yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Colts. He added three receptions on six targets for 54 yards.
EDGE Analysis
Harris led the Pittsburgh backfield, though it wasn't the volume projected due to Jaylen Warren (knee) being sidelined. Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) was more effective before exiting the game and stole six carries, while Justin Fields also used his legs more. Even with the ball in his hands, Harris was largely stymied, as his longest run went for just five yards. However, Harris did produce as a receiver, highlighted by a 32-yard catch and run early in the fourth quarter as the Steelers attempted to rally. Overall, his disappointing start to the season continued, as Harris has yet to top 100 yards from scrimmage or find the end zone through four games.
QNajee Harris RB FA Thu 9/26/24 4:10 PM
QNajee Harris
RB FA
Harris, who was rested Wednesday, returned to a full practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Harris was spotted wearing a sling around his right arm/elbow in the Steelers' locker room Monday, but after getting a maintenance day Wednesday and then practicing fully Thursday, the running back evidently doesn't carry any injury concerns ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts. The same can't been said for Jaylen Warren (knee), who missed his second straight session, and thus looks iffy for Week 4 at this stage. If Warren is unavailable this weekend, Cordarrelle Patterson would be in line to pick up added complementary snaps behind Harris, with Jonathan Ward and Aaron Shampklin candidates to be elevated from Pittsburgh's practice squad.
QNajee Harris RB FA Wed 9/25/24 3:57 PM
QNajee Harris
RB FA
Harris (not injury-related/rest) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Though Harris was spotted wearing a sling around his right arm/elbow in the Steelers' locker room Monday, coach Mike Tomlin downplayed that Tuesday, indicating that the running back would be ready for Week 4 action, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. With the Steelers listing Harris' absence Wednesday due to rest, he still appears to be on track to suit up Sunday against the Colts. Meanwhile, Jaylen Warren (knee) also sat out the session, with his availability versus Indianapolis TBD.
QNajee Harris RB FA Tue 9/24/24 12:39 PM
QNajee Harris
RB FA
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Harris' apparent right arm injury isn't a concern, and the running back is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Colts, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports. "Naj will be ready to rock and roll," Tomlin said.
EDGE Analysis
Harris showed no obvious sign of being limited by an injury in Sunday's 20-10 win over the Chargers, as he took on a normal offensive snap share (58 percent) and handled heavy volume (18 carries, five targets). However, Harris' health suddenly came into question Monday, when he was spotted in the Pittsburgh locker room sporting a sling on his right arm. Based on Tomlin's comments, Harris might have been wearing the sling strictly as a precaution, and the coach didn't suggest that the running back's practice participation this week would be affected as a result. Assuming Harris is confirmed to be a full participant during Wednesday's session, he should be in the clear to handle another big workload in Indianapolis, especially with the availability of top backup Jaylen Warren (knee) looking much murkier.
QNajee Harris RB FA Mon 9/23/24 3:15 PM
QNajee Harris
RB FA
Harris was wearing a sling around his right arm/elbow in the Steelers' locker room Monday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Harris didn't substitute out due to an apparent injury during Sunday's 20-10 win over the Chargers, in which he rushed 18 times for 70 yards including Pittsburgh's final carry. He also caught all five of his targets for 16 yards, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin didn't mention an injury to Harris in his postgame press conference. Further clarity on Harris' health may not arrive until Wednesday, when Pittsburgh's first official injury report of Week 4 is revealed. If healthy, Harris will stand to continue handling a workhorse role Sunday on the road against Indianapolis.
QNajee Harris RB FA Sun 9/22/24 5:14 PM
QNajee Harris
RB FA
Harris rushed 18 times for 70 yards and caught all five of his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 20-10 win over the Chargers.
EDGE Analysis
Harris' last carry was a 21-yard burst down to the one-yard line, but Pittsburgh just kneeled down twice after that to run out the clock without giving Harris another opportunity to score his first touchdown of the season. He handled 23 touches compared to seven for Cordarrelle Patterson and four for Jaylen Warren. Harris has 55 carries through three games, but he's averaging just 3.8 yards per carry heading into Week 4 against the Colts.
QNajee Harris RB FA Sun 9/15/24 11:21 PM
QNajee Harris
RB FA
Harris rushed the ball 17 times for 69 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Broncos. He added one reception on two targets for five yards.
EDGE Analysis
Harris dominated the workload out of the backfield in Week 1 and largely replicated that Sunday as he saw 18 total touches to Jaylen Warren's 11. The story for Harris was familiar in that he was effective in keeping the Steelers' offense on schedule but didn't turn in a strong fantasy performance. Notably, his longest gain of the day went for just 11 yards, and he now has a total of 139 rushing yards on 37 attempts through two games. Harris has also seen minimal involvement as a receiver with only three total targets.
QNajee Harris RB FA Sun 9/8/24 10:15 PM
QNajee Harris
RB FA
Harris rushed the ball 20 times for 70 yards in Sunday's 18-10 win over Atlanta. He added one reception on two targets for nine yards.
EDGE Analysis
Harris surprisingly dominated opportunity out of the Pittsburgh backfield, accounting for 20 of 26 carries by the team's running backs. He wasn't very efficient but highlighted his day with a 20-yard rush early in the fourth quarter. Given Jaylen Warren's recent return from a hamstring injury, it's likely that we'll see his workload move closer to even with Harris as the season progresses. However, until proven otherwise, Harris should post decent production based on volume alone.
QNajee Harris RB FA Sat 8/24/24 7:21 PM
QNajee Harris
RB FA
Harris rushed the ball once for five yards in Saturday's 24-17 preseason loss to the Lions.
EDGE Analysis
Harris played on the opening drive with Russell Wilson under center and received his carry on the opening play of the game. He'll likely head into Week 1 as the top choice in Pittsburgh's backfield for early down work, though the team has continuously played down the significance of Jaylen Warren's hamstring injury. If Warren is able to suit up, he would likely cost Harris significant work as a pass catcher as well as some rushing attempts.