Najee Harris (22) of the Pittsburgh Steelers Michael Longo/For USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK

Steelers RB Najee Harris may be replaced as featured back

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 11/9/22

The Steelers' 2021 first-round pick may be replaced. Undrafted rookie RB Jaylen Warren could be in line to take over as the featured back from struggling RB Najee Harris.

Although there have been no changes to the depth chart, head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters it "was a topic of discussion and very evident in our tape review," per ESPN's Brooke Pryor

Warren is averaging two yards more per carry (5.3) than Harris (3.3), and has more gains of 10 or more yards on almost 100 less touches.

Steelers RB touches this year:

Najee Harris 132
Jaylen Warren 41

Touches to gain 10+ yards:

Najee Harris 12
Jaylen Warren 13
— John Daigle (@notJDaigle) November 9, 2022

Has Warren's success been situational or is he the better back?

A lot of Warren's snaps have come late in games when the outcome is already decided. However, it's tough to argue his stats no matter who he's playing against.

Harris has also been dealing with a foot injury since training camp, but said he feels 100 percent since removing a steel plate from his shoe a few weeks ago.

"He's playing and so obviously he's healthy enough to play," Tomlin added. "We've gotten some awesome contributions from Jaylen and it's reasonable to expect that to continue."

Whether or not Harris is fully healthy, if he continues to struggle, Warren is the next man up.

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