Five-year NFL veteran running back Damien Harris has announced his retirement. Harris, a former third-round pick out of Alabama, spent the 2023 season with the Buffalo Bills but has also played for the New England Patriots.
Former #Patriots and #Bills RB Damien Harris is retiring from the NFL at age 27. pic.twitter.com/vUET4It6p7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 25, 2024
REPORT: Damien Harris Announces Retirement
Damien Harris signed a one-year contract with the Bills at the start of the 2023 offseason with the hope that he could compete for the starting job. Instead, second-year running back James Cook emerged, relegating Harris to backup work. Ultimately, the running back appeared in just six games, recording 23 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown before suffering a serious neck injury against the New York Giants. Harris landed on the injured reserve and did not return for the rest of the season.
Harris originally entered the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Selected by the New England Patriots, the Alabama product began his career buried on the depth chart. Stuck behind Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, and James White, Harris finished his rookie season with just 12 yards on four carries.
The running back finally had a chance to emerge in 2020. Taking the starting job from the oft-injured Michel, Harris finished his second season with 691 yards and two touchdowns on 137 carries. He earned an even larger role in 2021, setting career-highs in carries (202), yards (929), and touchdowns (15) while New England made the playoffs for the first time in the post-Tom Brady Era.
Unfortunately for Harris, he was unable to replicate this magic in 2022. With second-year pro Rhamondre Stevenson stepping up, Harris spent a decent chunk of the season as New England’s second fiddle in the backfield. Overall, Damien Harris closed out the final year of his rookie contract with 462 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Since signing his rookie contract, Damien Harris has appeared in 34 games while making 44 starts. While on the field, the running back has recorded 2,188 yards and 21 touchdowns on 472 carries.
Main Photo: Jamie Germano – USA Today Sports
