The Pittsburgh Steelers will have their most productive offensive player at their disposal this weekend.
Rookie running back Najee Harris will be removed from the injury report and is expected to play Sunday night versus Kansas City, the team announced Saturday. Harris was listed as questionable with an elbow injury.
He just completed a stellar first regular season, in which he led the league in touches (381) and placed fourth in yards from scrimmage (1,667). Moreover, he was a primary cog in Pittsburgh's offense, tallying 1,200 rushing yards, 74 receptions and a team-high 10 touchdowns. The bruising back topped 90 rushing yards three times over the final five weeks.
The Steelers will need everything they can get out of Harris if they're going to knock off the Chiefs in the Wild Card Round. And in a last-minute activation, Pittsburgh will also get back its star wide receiver.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that JuJu Smith-Schuster is being activated off injured reserve and is expected to play on Sunday night. Smith-Schuster hasn't played since Week 5 after sustaining a shoulder injury.
Roster moves
- Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters on Saturday that the decision to play J.J. Watt on Monday night versus the Rams will "come down to the wire." Watt hasn't played since Week 7 after undergoing shoulder surgery. Running back James Conner (ribs) and wideout Rondale Moore (ankle) are officially questionable to play; Kingsbury noted that both will be game-time decisions.
- Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Addison suffered a shoulder injury against New England and did not return.
- Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (concussion) and defensive lineman Mike Daniels (groin) exited early versus the Raiders. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was carted off the field in the third quarter with a right foot injury and did not return.
- The Dallas Cowboys elevated safety Darian Thompson from the practice squad to the active roster.
- Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle) exited in the fourth quarter while LB Divine Deablo (concussion) was ruled out early versus the Bengals. Cornerback Brandon Facyson left the game in the third quarter to be evaluated for a head injury; Facyson did not return.
- Los Angeles Rams safety Taylor Rapp (concussion) will be out for Monday night versus Arizona, per coach Sean McVay. The team later officially ruled Rapp out; The Rams signed Eric Weddle out of retirement earlier this week. Receiver Van Jefferson (shoulder) is listed as questionable for the game; running back Buddy Howell (hamstring) is doubtful.
- New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley did not return against the Bills after suffering an arm injury in the first half. Defensive back Kyle Dugger, who was questionable to play with a hand injury, was cleared to play ahead of kickoff. Offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn and defensive end Chase Winovich were among the inactives.
- Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat made the trip to Tampa Bay with the team, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. Sweat is questionable to play with an illness. The Eagles signed tight end Richard Rodgers from the practice squad to the active roster, as well as elevated offensive lineman Kayode Awosika (COVID replacement), receiver KeeSean Johnson and defensive end Cameron Malveaux from the practice squad.
- San Francisco 49ers punter Mitch Wishnowsky has no injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cowboys after clearing concussion protocol. Cornerback Darqueze Dennard and linebacker Mark Nzeocha were elevated from the practice squad.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Giovani Bernard was activated off injured reserve on Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles. Bernard should look to play a big role Sunday against the Eagles as Leonard Fournette was not activated off IR ahead of Saturday's deadline. Linebacker Lavonte David also was activated off IR, while the Bucs waived cornerback and special teams ace Rashard Robinson.
Fines
- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw was fined $5,169 for unnecessary roughness after ear holing Rams wideout Van Jefferson in Week 18, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.
