(Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Former Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots running back Damien Harris is calling it a career, just over a month after his 27th birthday.
On his Instagram page, Harris announced that he is retiring from the game of football after five NFL seasons. He spent his first four years in Foxborough before joining the Buffalo Bills on a one-year deal last offseason.
The Alabama product was drafted by the defending Super Bowl champions in the third round (87th overall) by the Patriots in 2019. He saw limited time in his rookie year before enjoying an increased role in 2020, the first year of the post-Tom Brady era.
That year, Harris rushed for 691 yards and two touchdowns. He followed it up with another career year in 2021, rushing for 929 yards and 15 touchdowns to go along with 17 receptions for 97 yards as the Patriots returned to the postseason with a 10-7 record.
Happy retirement Damien Harris!!
Will always remember this run in Buffalo. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/grLZ3SztyW
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) March 26, 2024
Harris’ role decreased in 2022 as Rhamondre Stevenson emerged as the Patriots’ new No. 1 back, and he signed with the Buffalo Bills on a one-year deal in free agency.
A two-time national champion at Alabama, Harris unfortunately suffered a neck sprain in the club’s Week 6 home game against the New York Giants. Harris did not play again in 2023, and the Buffalo Bills went on to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.
Per Sports Reference, Harris is ninth all-time on the Alabama Crimson Tide rushing leaderboard with 3,070 yards.
The Buffalo Bills Will Look A Lot Different In 2024
Damien Harris is one of several notable players from the Bills’ 2023 roster who will not return to the club next season.
The team also parted ways with Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Gabe Davis, Mitch Morse, Nyheim Hines and Deonte Harty. Up against the salary cap, Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane has had to make several tough decisions in order to make his team cap compliant.
