Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris was banged up in the fourth quarter of the team’s Week 18 matchup vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. Here’s the latest on the Steelers’ RB1 as he deals with what was reported as a head injury.
What Happened to Najee Harris?
UPDATE: Harris returned to the game on the ensuing drive, indicating that he cleared a concussion evaluation.
ORIGINAL: Harris caught a 12-yard pass and tried to elude a tackle from Bengals defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr.; however, he was brought down and stayed down on the field afterward.
Upon further review, it appears Harris took a helmet-to-helmet hit from linebacker Germaine Pratt. However, there was no penalty called on the play, though the broadcast’s officiating consultant suggested there should have been one.
Harris had 12 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown, the Steelers’ only points at the time of his injury. He also added three catches for 22 yards through the air.
He went into the blue medical tent to be further evaluated for a head injury.
Najee Harris is being evaluated in the medical tent. pic.twitter.com/hbZeaOGI9y
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 5, 2025
Potential Fantasy Fallout From Harris’ Injury
Analysis via PFN’s Kyle Soppe
Harris missing time would open the door for Jaylen Warren to live up to some of his potential, though he hasn’t shown the same explosiveness this season as years past.
Through 17 weeks, none of his 114 carries had gained more than 22 yards, and while only so much of that can be blamed on him (35.8% fewer yards per carry before contact this year than last), the point remains that his projectable ceiling just isn’t what we thought it might be when entering the season.
Even with rushing limitations, his fluidity in the passing game combined with Russell Wilson’s conservative style (outside of the occasional bomb) profiles as a reasonable PPR outlook for those in postseason fantasy football formats.