Josh

Harris

With Le’Veon Bell on suspension, the Steelers appear poised to enter the season with only DeAngelo Williams and Dri Archer on the roster at tailback. For now, they’re carrying two fullbacks in Will Johnson and Roosevelt Nix.

An undrafted rookie out of Wake Forest, Harris is the next man up following the Steelers’ release of LeGarrette Blount. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, the Steelers have no plans to sign a veteran runner, leaving Harris and Dri Archer as Le’Veon Bell’s top reserves. If you’re a Bell owner intent on adding a handcuff, Harris would be the guy. Harris rushed eight times for 41 yards in the preseason, adding three catches for an additional 12 yards.

Bell has been diagnosed with a scary hyperextension, but no ligament damage. He was able to walk without crutches in the locker room after the game and was not in a brace. Still, hyperextensions can be multi-week injuries in certain cases, leaving Bell questionable for Saturday night’s Wild Card game against the Ravens. The Steelers were forced to turn to UDFA Josh Harris following Bell’s injury Sunday night. CBS’ Jason La Canfora reported Monday morning that the Steelers believe it’s “possible” Bell can play Saturday night.

ESPN Steelers reporter Scott Brown says Bell is “probably still a couple of first downs shorts of questionable.” That puts Harris, a UDFA out of Wake Forest, in line for a major role ahead of Dri Archer and newly signed Ben Tate. He rushed five times for just seven yards in a relief role against the Bengals last week, but did have a 59-yard run wiped out by a holding penalty. Regardless, this week’s matchup against a nasty Ravens front seven getting Haloti Ngata back is very difficult. We’d expect the Steelers to ride or die with Ben Roethlisberger’s arm if Bell sits.

“We’ll start with Josh Harris,” Tomlin said. “But we’ll also keep in mind that none of these guys have logged a substantial number of reps. So keeping them fresh is going to be an element of the equation as well.” Harris will be on the field first, but Dri Archer and even Ben Tate could see time in what will likely be a pass-heavy attack by Pittsburgh. Against a stout Ravens defense, Harris is not an exciting option in playoff leagues.

Harris was the primary back following Le’Veon Bell’s knee injury, out-carrying Dri Archer 5-1. It should be noted that Harris did have a 59-yard fourth quarter run wiped out by a holding penalty. Bell, who suffered a mere hyperextension, is questionable for the Wild Card game. If he can’t go, the Steelers will be forced to turn to Harris, an underwhelming UDFA out of Wake Forest who rushed eight times for 41 yards in the preseason. He’d have a weak projection against the Ravens’ strong front seven.

It’s fantastic news that Bell avoided ligament tears during his scary injury Sunday night. But that doesn’t mean he’ll be able to play Saturday night against the Ravens. His hyperextension appears to have caused some serious issues, which may or may not get worked out over the next six days. UDFA Josh Harris is next up on the depth chart.

Harris was listed as the starter, but Ben Tate got the first four carries. He came in on the second drive and ended up getting the majority of early-down work. The Steelers’ run-game was nonexistent with Harris, who averaged just 2.8 YPC. He was replaced by Dri Archer in most passing situations. Pittsburgh will need to upgrade on Harris as Le’Veon Bell’s backup this offseason.

Bell was arrested on DUI charges in August of 2014 when police smelled marijuana coming from his vehicle. The case was resolved last week when he was sentenced to 15 months on probation in a first-offender’s program. It’s the equivalent of a guilty plea, which means he’s subject to a two-game ban under the terms of the new DUI policy. Bell’s current backup is underwhelming 2014 UDFA Josh Harris, a position that the Steelers must upgrade this offseason.