Steelers Update: Najee Harris on the Mend
In a promising development for fans of Najee Harris, the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back is making significant strides in his recovery. Just five months after undergoing surgery for a ruptured Achilles, Harris is already back on the treadmill, hitting speeds of 15 mph with apparent ease. This update comes from his agent, Doug Hendrickson, who shared a video clip to highlight Harris' progress.
Harris' journey back to the field has been anything but smooth. The injury occurred during a Week 3 matchup between the Chargers and the Denver Broncos, when Harris collapsed before even taking a handoff from quarterback Justin Herbert. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed the Achilles rupture post-game, marking a tough blow for Harris.
This setback came on the heels of another unfortunate incident over the summer. Harris suffered an eye injury in a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July, which sidelined him for training camp and the preseason. Despite the scare, Harris assured reporters that his vision remained unaffected, describing the injury as merely “superficial.”
In his brief stint with the Chargers, Harris managed 37 yards on nine carries over three games. While these numbers might not jump off the page, they don't tell the full story of his potential impact when fully healthy.
Former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has kept in touch with Harris throughout his recovery. Although Tomlin chose to keep their conversations private, his support underscores the strong bond formed during Harris' time in Pittsburgh.
Drafted 24th overall by the Steelers in 2021, Harris was a powerhouse out of Alabama, consistently rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons. Though his career hasn't quite matched the lofty expectations of his draft position, Harris has proven to be a reliable and resilient player.
As Harris works his way back, fans and teams alike will be keeping a close eye on his progress, hopeful that this talented running back can soon return to form and continue his NFL journey.