Najee Harris injury: Steelers RB heads to locker room after hard hit vs. Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris was taken to the locker room after suffering an apparent injury in the fourth quarter Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Harris suffered the injury after taking a hit to his helmet and is being evaluated for a concussion. He is currently questionable to return, according to Steelers communications director Burt Lauten.

How did refs miss this? Now Najee’s hurt. pic.twitter.com/bJTvK0yDFv

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 5, 2025

Ultimately, Harris would end up being cleared to return but the Steelers still went on to lose 19-17. The running back finished the evening with 36 yards rushing and a touchdown in addition to four catches for 20 yards.

Depending on what happens Sunday, the Steelers could end up with either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the AFC. The wild card round of the playoffs begins next week, and with Najee Harris being cleared it doesn’t seem he would be in any danger of missing that game due to a concussion.

If he does for whatever reason, Jaylen Warren would be expected to see a rise in opportunities. Warren finished Saturday’s game with 21 yards rushing on six carries.

Harris has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in every season that he has played in the NFL. This year he has 1,007 yards and five touchdowns in addition to 32 catches for 263 yards.

Ben Roethlisberger looks game-ready in full Steelers gear playing catch with sons

Ben Roethlisberger showed that he’s still got the arm despite being retired from football for the last three years. The legendary Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback shared a video of him wearing his Steelers helmet and jersey with shoulder pads and playing catch with his two sons.

“Arm still works. Jersey still fits,” Roethlisberger wrote in an Instagram post. “Hope yinz had a Merry Christmas!”

Ben Roethlisberger wearing his Steelers jersey, helmet, and shoulder pads while playing catch with his sons. pic.twitter.com/txnWLbkxPw

— Billy Hartford (@CamHeywardFan) December 30, 2024

Roethlisberger was a member of the Steelers from 2004 to 2021. During his career, the former Miami (Ohio) star was named to the Pro Bowl six times, led the NFL in passing yards twice (2014, 2018) and led the Steelers to two Super Bowl wins. In his final seasons with the Steelers, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a 9-7 record and threw for 3,740 yards, 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 16 games. He announced his retirement from the NFL in January 2022.

“I don’t know how to put into words what the game of football has meant to me and what a blessing it has been,” Roethlisberger said at the time, per NFL.com. “While I know with confidence I have given my all to the game, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all it has given me.”

On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this report.