Report: Bills, Ex-Patriots RB Damien Harris Agree to One-Year Deal
The former Alabama star was drafted by New England in the third round in 2019.
After losing free agent Devin Singletary to the Texans, the Bills are reportedly bolstering their running back room with a familiar face from the AFC East.
The Bills reached an agreement on Monday with former Patriots RB Damien Harris on an undisclosed one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Harris, 26, will now join a backfield that also includes 2022 second-round pick James Cook and five-year veteran Nyheim Hines.
Entering his fifth NFL season, Harris will move on from his only NFL home in New England where he was drafted in the third round of the 2019 draft following a star career at Alabama. The veteran back showed flashes of his talent during his time with the Patriots, but found it difficult to stay on the field due to a string of injuries.
Last season, Harris, who was limited by hamstring and thigh injuries, notably lost touches to standout second-year backup Rhamondre Stevenson despite coming into the year as the team’s RB1. He went on to start nine of his 11 appearances, and record 106 carries for 462 yards and three touchdowns, as well as 17 receptions for 97 yards.
While it remains to be seen how the Bills utilize Harris, his addition gives coach Sean McDermott a battle-tested option who can anchor the backfield if healthy. It was only two years ago that Harris turned in his best campaign in 2021, rushing 202 times for 929 yards with 15 touchdowns, tying Cardinals RB James Conner for the second-most rushing scores in the NFL.
For his career, Harris has logged 2,094 yards and 20 rushing TDs on 449 carries, and 40 receptions for 281 yards.