Due to all the injuries the Pittsburgh Steelers had last year at the running back position during training camp they wound up claming DuJuan Harris off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars in late August to play in the final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.
Harris, who rushed for 45 yards on 12 carries in the preseason finale, probably didn\’t even wear all the clothes that he packed for Pittsburgh as he was released on August 31st, a mere four days after he was claimed by the Steelers.
The 5-8, 203-pound running back stayed unemployed for most of the 2012 season, but was eventually signed by the Green Bay Packers on December 1st due to all the injuries they had. The Troy product went on to start two regular season games and both playoff games for the Packers on his way to registering 257 yards on 62 carries.
The Packers addressed their running back needs this past offseason during the draft by selecting Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin. While both players will eventually pass Harris on the depth chart, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy told the USA Today on Thursday that he still considers Harris the starter right now, even though he currently remains on their Active PUP list.
“I\’m excited to see when DuJuan Harris comes back, because I view him as our starter,” McCarthy said on Thursday. “I want him to get back in there and earn it like he did all of last year. He made an impact in our offense.”
McCarthy is obviously trying to motivate his young draft picks, but there is a good chance that Harris will stick on the Packers roster this year and contribute throughout the season in some form or fashion. Harris\’ story should serve as an example to all young players around the league that you always need to be ready when your number is called.
