Patriots Running Back Hobbles to Locker Room

The New England Patriots lost a game and a running back in last night's Thanksgiving shootout with the Minnesota Vikings. Running back Damien Harris hobbled off the field with a thigh injury in the first half of Thursday's 33-26 loss and did not return.

Patriots injury update: RB Damien Harris is downgraded to out (thigh).
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 25, 2022

Harris injured his thigh after 11 snaps and five carries for 16 yards. He has already missed two games this year with a variety of ailments. He was spotted in crutches following the loss.

An extended absence by Harris will likely mean an expanded role for Patriots second-year running back Rhamondre Stevenson. The two have largely split carries while healthy, with Harris earning 9.3 attempts per game to Harris' 13.7. Overall, Stevenson has drastically outproduced Harris, compiling 1039 yards from scrimmage to Harris' 458. Stevenson has also outperformed Harris on a per touch basis, averaging 5.2 yards to Harris' 4.7.

Harris initially joined the Patriots as their 87th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft after four years of rotational play at Alabama. A hard-hitting, pounding runner, Harris has proven himself a valuable piece of the Patriots' run-heavy approach in the post-Tom Brady era, totalling 2015 yards and 20 touchdowns in his 36 appearances for the team.