Pittsburgh will aim to maintain its playoff hopes with its leading rusher ready to go.<\/p>\n
Steelers running back Najee Harris is expected to play for Thursday night’s game against the visiting New England Patriots, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Good Morning Football<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Harris popped up on the injury report Tuesday with a knee injury. Drawing a questionable designation, Harris did not practice Tuesday or Wednesday.<\/p>\n Since he was selected 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris has never missed a game and will hopefully continue that streak after starting the first 47 games of his career.<\/p>\n Harris’ knee injury could offer up more opportunities for Jaylen Warren, however.<\/p>\n Harris leads the Steelers, currently the AFC’s No. 5 seed, with 159 carries, 661 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Warren, however, is averaging more than a full yard better (5.9 to Harris’ 4.2) per carry as he enters Thursday with 601 yards and three TDs on 102 carries.<\/p>\n No other running back besides Warren and Harris has taken a handoff this season.<\/p>\n Quarterback Kenny Pickett, who’s also out, is the team’s No. 3 rusher with 42 carries for 54 yards. Mitchell Trubisky is starting for Pittsburgh at QB.<\/p>\n The Patriots (2-10) and Steelers (7-5) kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday on Prime Video.<\/p>\n