The Patriots exited their Week 5 game against the Lions with a lopsided win, but questions about the health of one of their offensive contributors. Running back Damien Harris is expected to miss multiple weeks due to a hamstring injury, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). 
Pelissero adds that further testing is still to be done, but it appears the injury – which forced Harris out of Sunday’s contest – will keep him sidelined for an extended duration. The news marks a significant setback for the 25-year-old pending free agent individually, as well as New England’s ground game in general.
Harris saw only four carries in his rookie season, but has been a steady contributor ever since. His workload increased from 2020 to last season, one in which he topped 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time in his career. His 15 rushing touchdowns that year ranked tied for second in the league, and led to optimism for further production this campaign.
The former third-rounder has found the endzone three times so far in 2022, and maintained a 4.5 yards-per-carry average, nearly identical to his 2021 figure. However, Harris saw a snap share between 39% and 45% in the first four games of the season, a step back from his usage the two previous years. That was owed to the increased workload given to second-year back Rhamondre Stevenson.
The latter flashed plenty of potential as a rookie, and has continued his career ascent in 2022. With 372 yards on 5.5 yards per tote, the Oklahoma product had begun to take on lead back duties prior to Harris’ injury. Now that he will be sidelined, Stevenson is in line to follow up on the 25-carry, 161-yard day he had against the Lions moving forward. With veteran Ty Montgomery already on IR, the Patriots will likely look to fourth-round rookie Pierre Strong Jr. as a backup.