There have been many questions about whether Pittsburgh Steelers' second-year running back Najee Harris was turning out to be a bust after a rough start to the 2022 season. He began to draw comparisons to former first-round pick Trent Richardson who was never successful after his first season in the NFL and it was fair to pose the question if it was too early to put the two in the same conversation. Since the team's bye week about a month ago, Harris has come back and is playing his best football of the season.
He left a Week 12 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts and had to be transported to the hospital, but aside from a shortened game on Monday Night Football, he seems to have returned to form.
Steelers running back Najee Harris (#22) stands on the field at Acrisure Stadium before a 2022 regular season game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Mike Tomlin's team defeated the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon and had another solid game running the football, amassing 154 yards on the ground. Harris led the way with 17 carries for 86 yards. His 5.1 yards per carry was his best number of the season and third best of his young career. He was the main reason the offense was able to chew valuable clocks late in the fourth quarter. The foot injury he suffered in the preseason seems to finally be a thing of the past.
If one takes out the Colts' game because he left with an injury (even though scored a touchdown), the ball carrier has 275 rushing yards on 57 carries since the Week 9 bye. The offensive line has been much more consistent in the run game. Harris showed on Sunday that he is feeling more like his old self, running the ball hard and with force. His strength and size are two of the main reasons why the organization drafted him in 2021.
Nasty stiff arm by Najee Harris 😳
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Former Steelers' writer and insider, Ed Bouchette was calling for the franchise to make a change at running back after the bye week.
"I think [Jaylen] Warren has shown, stats and the eye test, that he’s a better running back right now and I’m going with him, working Najee in, but I think it would be a statement if you started Warren. You know, saying, hey, get your act together, start running," Bouchette said.
One of the most concerning statistics of Harris' career to this point has been his yards per carry. At a point this season, it was as low as 3.3 yards per rush while other running backs on the roster were having success with the same unit up front. There has been a legitimate shift in Harris' play and success over the course of the last month. Not too long ago, fans were calling for undrafted rookie, Jaylen Warren to get the starting nod along with Bouchette. The current starter, though, has officially silenced those calling for his job.
Steelers running back Najee Harris (#22) stands on the field at Acrisure Stadium before a 2022 regular season game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh's offense has clearly made a leap forward as the team is 3-1 over the course of the last four contests. They are slowly creeping into the top half of the league in rushing offense after being pretty much dead last the first half of the season. Harris' play and an evident new bill of health have been key factors in allowing rookie Quarterback, Kenny Pickett to relax a bit more as the fate of Tomlin's squad no longer seems to be in the hands of the first-year signal caller.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
It will be imperative to build on a strong rushing attack for the rest of the season. The Steelers aren't mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but what may be more important is establishing an offensive identity to build on heading into the offseason.
Have you been impressed with Harris' performances in the last month or so? Let us know in the comments below!
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