Steelers RB Najee Harris does not practice but Jaylen Warren cleared to play vs. Falcons

After finishing Monday’s game without their top two running backs, news was split on the statuses of those two during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first practice of the new week of game preparation.

Najee Harris sat out Wednesday’s session at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, according to the league-mandated injury report released after the session. Harris left Monday’s 24-17 win against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter because of an oblique injury.

Harris’ backup, Jaylen Warren, did not play in that game at all after he had been forced to leave the previous game early because of a hamstring ailment. But Warren was back as a full practice participant Wednesday. And afterward, Warren declared he would return to game action when the Steelers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

“I feel good,” Warren said. “The doctors cleared me. I’m ready to go for this week.”

Warren had played more than one-third of the Steelers’ offensive snaps over the prior five games, averaging more than seven touches per game in that time and taking over the third-down duties from Harris.

Related:

• Steelers’ Benny Snell was ready to prosper during 1st meaningful action of season
• Despite missed chances, Steelers QB Kenny Pickett determined to keep targeting George Pickens
• T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick among host of Steelers starters limited at practice

In the absence of Harris and Warren against the Colts, Benny Snell got his first touches of the season, and practice-squad call-up Anthony McFarland also contributed in both the running and passing game.

Harris has yet to miss a game in his NFL career since being a first-round pick in 2021. He has not missed a game at any level since he was a freshman at Alabama in 2017, having appeared in 71 consecutive meaningful games for the Crimson Tide and Steelers since.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.