The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in their home opener on Sunday, with star running back Najee Harris playing a pivotal role. Harris carried the ball 18 times, racking up 70 rushing yards, while adding five receptions for 16 yards through the air. Once again, Harris showcased his trademark toughness, bulldozing through defenders and making his presence felt throughout the game. However, that aggressive play style may have come with a price tag.
Harris has been running with a noticeable edge this season. While his average yards per carry haven’t been eye-popping, his consistency has been invaluable, especially in executing on critical downs. His physical style has been a key factor in the Steelers' offensive success, even if the stats don’t fully reflect his impact. However, on Monday, reports emerged that Harris was seen with his arm in a sling, raising concerns about his availability moving forward.
The Steelers heavily rely on their running game, and it was evident that Jaylen Warren is still working to regain his full health. He was pulled from the game on Sunday and continues to show signs of injury. Now, with Harris also dealing with an injury, there’s added concern for the team's rushing attack moving forward.
Concerns were already high regarding Warren's health, and his performance against the Chargers only underscored that. Warren carried the ball three times for a mere five yards, clearly not at full strength.
In contrast, Cordarrelle Patterson stepped up with some explosive runs, contributing significantly to the game’s momentum. He rushed four times for 33 yards and added three catches for 15 receiving yards. If Harris is indeed injured, Patterson would likely be expected to take on a larger role in the running game.
Steelers' Najee Harris Showed Up Wearing A Sling On Monday
Throughout his career, Harris has been a reliable and consistent starter, never missing a game. The hope is that his arm in a sling is simply a precautionary measure and that he’ll be ready to face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4. Steeler Nation will be holding its breath for updates on his condition, hoping for the best.
Regardless, it’s concerning to see Harris dealing with an injury; he’s not wearing the sling for fun. Fans are eager for him to return to full health and be ready to contribute against the Colts. So far, the Steelers’ offense has looked comfortable, but if both Harris and Warren are banged up, the team could face serious adversity early in the season on the offensive side of the ball.
