Damien Harris News

The Buffalo Bills are signing former New England Patriots running back Damien Harris to a one-year contract, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. The Bills have had a need for a larger running back over the past few seasons after struggling to find a consistent short-yardage player in Devin Singletary, Zach Moss, and James Cook. Now, the former Patriot should be queued up to handle early down work while Cook adds an explosive element on passing downs. Harris's 15 rushing touchdowns in 2021 were tied for the most in the league (behind only Jonathan Taylor), but the talented former third-round pick ceded significant work to teammate Rhamondre Stevenson in 2022 before the Patriots eventually allowed him to leave in free agency. He could have plenty of opportunities for goal line carries in the Bills' potent offense.

After losing Devin Singletary to the Texans earlier Monday, the Bills were in need of reinforcements at running back. Harris is the first to join holdovers James Cook and Nyheim Hines. Considering that Cook and Hines ring in at 190 and 196 pounds, respectively, the 5-foot-11, 213-pound Harris becomes the top candidate for early down and short-yardage work with his new squad. In the first four seasons of his career with the Patriots, Harris averaged 4.7 yards and scored 20 touchdowns on his 449 carries across 38 games, while also hauling in 40 of 51 targets for 281 more yards.

Harris split carries with Rhamondre Stevenson in what could be Harris' last game as a Patriot. The 25-year-old running back will be an unrestricted free agent after rushing 106 times for 462 yards and three touchdowns in his fourth NFL season. Harris scored 15 rushing touchdowns in 2021, but injuries limited him to 11 appearances in 2022.

Harris' return from a four-game absence was largely unremarkable, but he was able to supplement his modest rushing production with a more active day than usual through the air. Harris' three catches were a season high, and the fourth-year pro could be due for a more prominent role on the ground in a key Week 18 divisional battle against the Bills on the road.

After missing the Patriots' last four games, Harris is poised to rejoin the team's backfield mix and in the process figures to work in tandem with Rhamondre Stevenson, assuming Stevenson is able to continue to play through an ankle injury that has him listed as questionable after logging limited practices this week. Assuming both backs are available this weekend, Harris would profile as a hit-or-miss fantasy option in his return to action, in the context of a time-share.

New England Patriots running back Damien Harris (thigh) is available for Week 17's game against the Miami Dolphins. Harris is expected to return after New England's running back was held out four games with a thigh ailment. In a matchup versus a Dolphins' defense ranked 20th in FanDuel points allowed per game to running backs, our models project Harris to score 6.6 FanDuel points. Harris' Week 17 projection includes 7.9 rushing attempts for 36.3 yards and 0.7 receptions for 4.9 yards.