Najee Harris' workload for Steelers approaching record-setting levels
When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Najee Harris in the first round, it was done to help achieve Art Rooney II’s directive of running the ball more efficiently and effectively.
Harris has held up his end — the Steelers have improved from No. 32 to 26 in rushing — but the issue now facing the team as it heads into the second half of the schedule is whether he is running the ball too frequently.
Harris ranks sixth in the NFL with 646 yards rushing, but he is second in carries with 176. Tennessee’s Derrick Henry had 219 carries before he broke his foot in his eighth game.
Counting receptions, Harris has touched the ball 220 times, which is second to Henry’s 237. He has accumulated at least 25 touches in five successive games, and he tied his season high with 30 touches in the Steelers’ 16-16 tie with Detroit.
Factoring in the 17th game that was added to the schedule this season, Harris is on pace to get 374 carries and 416 touches, which each would rank second in franchise history. Barry Foster had 390 carries and 426 touches in 1992.
Le’Veon Bell had 406 touches that included 321 carries in 2017, his last year with the Steelers.
“We don’t want to wear him out,” offensive coordinator Matt Canada said Thursday. “It’s a real fine line, but every game, we’re just trying to get out of the game with a win.”
The Steelers haven’t lost in five games — or since Harris’ workload increased to at least 25 touches.
“It’s a 17-game season and, hopefully, a long run in the playoffs,” Canada said. “Where does (resting Harris) happen? Where are the diminishing returns? We’re certainly looking at it and watching it. He’s been productive and strong at the finishes of games, and that’s how we are doing it. But we are certainly aware of it.”
The Steelers haven’t developed a dependable backup behind Harris. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is credited with as many carries (11) as the second-most used running back, Benny Snell.
Snell has gained 31 yards on his 11 attempts, a 2.8 average. Kalen Ballage has carried seven times for 12 yards. Ballage and Snell has one reception apiece.
Anthony McFarland, who began the year on injured reserve, has one carry for 1 yard and has been inactive the past two games.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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