Najee Harris has has an impressive rookie season for the Steelers. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers' Najee Harris practices; elbow 'good' ahead of Chiefs game

The Pittsburgh Steelers understand they're up against it and massive underdogs heading into the upcoming "Sunday Night Football" wild-card playoff game at the Kansas City Chiefs coming off their Week 16 36-10 loss at Kansas City.

In fact, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger remarked earlier in the week he's encouraging teammates to "just go in and play and have fun" ahead of what could be his final four quarters as an active NFL player. 

Pittsburgh will need all hands on deck to notch an upset win, but rookie running back Najee Harris missed two midweek practices with an elbow injury, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. According to Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, however, Harris received a platelet-rich plasma shot for his right elbow and was a full participant for Friday's practice. 

"The elbow’s doing good," Harris explained ahead of the weekend. "It’s feeling better." 

As noted by ESPN stats, Harris led the Steelers during the regular season with 307 carries, 1,200 rushing yards, and seven touchdowns on the ground. The first-year pro also contributed 74 receptions for 467 yards and three additional scores. 

"In this sport and this game, with so much contact, you can’t really say that I am going to (play differently when injured)," Harris said of his mindset. "Especially at the running back position, it’s already a physical position. So you have to have in your mind that obviously you are somewhat hurt (to) protect yourself — but still play the game how you play it." 

The Steelers must have Harris at his best and carrying the rock without any reservations at Arrowhead Stadium.

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