Colts LB calls out Steelers RB Najee Harris over pregame antics

The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday when they lost 27-24 to the Indianapolis Colts. Although quarterback Anthony Richardson left early with a hip injury, the Steelers couldn’t keep up with old foe Joe Flacco.

There may have been some motivation on the Colts’ part, due in part to some pregame antics from Steelers running back Najee Harris.

Before the game, the Steelers stood in the tunnel waiting to run onto the field. Harris realized he was on the jumbotron at Lucas Oil Stadium and decided to throw up not one, but two middle fingers.

A fan brought this to the attention of Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin, who then confronted Harris about his unimpressive day. In fact, Franklin called Harris “soft” and “84 run harder,” echoing Cordarrelle Patterson.

To say that Harris played no role for the Steelers in the running game is a massive understatement. Harris received 13 carries from quarterback Justin Fields and gained a total of…19 yards. Harris averaged a measly 1.5 yards per carry.

Patterson was much more effective. Patterson received six carries (seven fewer than Harris) and ran for 43 yards. That’s 7.2 yards per carry, with his longest run being 12 yards.

But when it came to the receiving game, Harris provided more yardage. Harris netted three of Fields’ six targets for 54 yards. His longest reception was 32 yards.

This year, Harris ran for 228 yards and zero touchdowns on 68 carries, averaging 3.4 yards per pop. The latter is a career low.

Franklin, meanwhile, recorded nine tackles, including six solo tackles. More importantly, Franklin and the Colts got the win and got back to .500 while also getting bragging rights for handing the Steelers their first loss of the year.

Harris and the Steelers will look to perform better against a struggling Dallas Cowboys team.