Najee Harris Continues Stellar Start to Rookie Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers leaned heavily on their rookie running back in Sunday's 23-20 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks. Najee Harris rushed for 81 yards on 24 carries and caught six passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, 38 of his receiving yards came after the catch. Harris scored the game's first touchdown when connected on a five-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger, making it three-straight games he has found the endzone.

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The former Alabama standout has quickly become a fan favorite in Pittsburgh. On Sunday, Harris surpassed Le'Veon Bell for the most rushing yards by a rookie in franchise history through the player's first six games and his 632 scrimmage yards are over 100 yards more than any player in franchise player through their first six games.

His play has caught the attention of the two greatest runners in Steelers history, Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis. "I've been super impressed with him," said Bettis. "I was big fan of his going back to his freshman year when he was just starting to get some opportunities and the question was, will he get more and more and more? But he had three guys who were on their way to the NFL who were in front of him."

"I see a special player football player," said Bettis. "He can be much better than me. He can block. He can run. He can catch it. He can do it all. He has a chance to be really special."

Harris has formed a strong relationship with Bettis during his short time in Pittsburgh. "I watched him whenever he played when I was young," Harris said. "I like Jerome, I've talked to Jerome a lot of times. He's a good dude. Just as a person, I like him.

After a heavy workload through six weeks, Harris will have some time to rest this week before the Steelers face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Oct. 31.