Former New England Patriots running back Damien Harris announced his retirement from professional football on Monday at age 27. The Patriots selected Harris in the third round (87th overall) in the 2019 NFL draft out of Alabama, and he had 449 rushing attempts for 2,094 yards and 20 touchdowns in his four years in New England in 38 regular-season games (34 starts) while adding 40 receptions on 51 targets for an additional 281 receiving yards. Harris spent the 2023 campaign with the Buffalo Bills but played in only six games before suffering a season-ending concussion/neck injury that saw him be taken off the field in an ambulance. He'll end his NFL career after just five seasons, recording 2,188 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 427 carries with the Pats and Bills.
Damien Harris Expected To Be Healthy For Free Agency
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane expects running back Damien Harris (head, neck) to be healthy for the start of free agency in March. Harris missed most of the 2023 season due to a serious neck injury that forced him to be taken off the field in an ambulance in Week 6 against the New York Giants. The 26-year-old had a small role off the bench in Buffalo in six games before his season-ending injury, carrying the ball just 23 times for 94 yards and one touchdown while catching two passes for an extra 16 yards. The soon-to-be 27-year-old will be back on the open market looking to prove he's recovered from his injury and ready to give another team some backfield depth. A thigh injury limited Harris to 11 games in his final season with the New England Patriots in 2022, so he's likely to have a small role wherever he lands.
Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris (neck, concussion) has been placed on injured reserve. He will miss a minimum of four games. In a corresponding move, running back Ty Johnson was elevated from the practice squad. Harris had been splitting time with Latavius Murray as depth options behind James Cook, but he will now miss extended time after exiting Week 6 and being taken to the hospital with a serious upper-body injury. Harris was discharged the next day, but his road to recovery will still take some time. Placing the 26-year-old on IR gives Murray sole possession of the No. 2 role while Johnson occupies the third-string role.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that running back Damien Harris (concussion, neck) has been ruled out for the Week 7 contest against the division-rival New England Patriots on Sunday. It's not a surprise after Harris was taken by ambulance to a local hospital last Sunday night after suffering a concussion and a neck sprain on his only carry of the night in the win over the New York Giants. The 26-year-old didn't practice at all this week and is likely looking at a multi-week absence. He could be a candidate to go on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss four games. In Harris' absence, Latavius Murray becomes a more attractive touchdown-dependent flex option as the goal-line option at RB for the Bills.
Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris (concussion, neck) remained absent from practice on Thursday for the second straight day, according to head coach Sean McDermott. Harris suffered a concussion and a neck injury on his only carry of the game in Sunday night's win over the New York Giants, and he had to be placed on a backboard, taken off the field in an ambulance and evaluated at a hospital. The 26-year-old has since been released from the hospital, but he unsurprisingly hasn't practiced this week and is a long shot to play in Week 7 against the New England Patriots. Harris is probably a good bet to miss more time as well, and he could be a candidate for Injured Reserve. Veteran Latavius Murray will be a more appealing touchdown-dependent flex behind James Cook for however long Harris is out.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that running back Damien Harris (concussion, neck) will not practice in the team's walkthrough on Wednesday. Harris is in the league's concussion protocol and is also dealing with a neck sprain from a scary injury he suffered in Sunday night's win over the New York Giants. The 26-year-old was hurt on his only carry of the game and had to be placed on a backboard and taken to a local hospital in an ambulance. He has since been released from the hospital and has been resting at home. Harris is expected to recover, but he almost certainly won't be available in Week 7 against the New England Patriots, and it's a good bet he'll miss additional time. Latavius Murray will get more run alongside James Cook for as long as Harris is sidelined.
Damien Harris Out Of Hospital, In Concussion Protocol
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that running back Damien Harris (concussion, neck) is out of the hospital and is resting at home. Harris is in the league's concussion protocol and also has a neck sprain, but he seems to be in good spirits on Monday after suffering a scary injury in the Sunday night win over the New York Giants on his only carry of the game. It was another scary scene for Bills players when Harris had to be put on a backboard and taken away in an ambulance on Sunday night. He had feeling and movement in all his extremities, though, and it looks like he'll end up being fine. However, the 26-year-old is likely going to miss time, so don't expect him to be active in Week 7 against the New England Patriots. Veteran Latavius Murray will have a bigger role behind James Cook for however long Harris is out.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said it was his understanding that running back Damien Harris (neck) has full movement after suffering a neck injury in Sunday night's 14-9 win over the New York Giants and that he is "heading in a good direction." Harris suffered a scary neck injury on his only carry of the Week 6 game and had to be put on a backboard and taken off the field via ambulance. The 26-year-old gave a thumbs up when leaving the field, though, and he reportedly had movement in all of his extremities, which is a great sign. We'll continue to keep a close eye on Harris' progress, but we shouldn't expect him to be available for a Week 7 contest against the New England Patriots. For however long he's sidelined, veteran Latavius Murray will have a bigger role alongside James Cook in Buffalo's backfield.
Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris (neck) was taken off the field by an ambulance on Monday night after a scary hit in the second quarter with what was reportedly a neck injury. He was moving his hands and legs on his way to the hospital. Harris won't return in this game and his health will be something to monitor as he'll undergo plenty of tests to understand the severity. He was able to give a thumbs up as he left the field, which seemed to be somewhat of a good sign. James Cook and Latavius Murray will take over the rest of the backfield work against the Giants. Harris was injured on his only rushing attempt of the game, a one-yard pickup.
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (quadriceps) and running back Damien Harris (neck) were both removed from Friday's final Week 5 injury report and will play on Sunday in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Knox was a full practice participant on Friday after putting in two limited sessions earlier in the week. Harris was a full-go the last two days. It's tough to recommend either player in starting fantasy lineups this weekend. Knox's fantasy value has taken a considerable hit in 2023 with the addition of rookie pass-catching tight end Dalton Kincaid. Meanwhile, Harris is sharing short-yardage and goal-line duties with veteran Latavius Murray and is fighting for scraps behind starter James Cook.
