To say it's been a difficult night for the Steelers to close the regular season would be an understatement. Every yard has been a struggle for an offense that is fading down the stretch.
Needing a scoring drive to stay alive in the fourth quarter, the Steelers' offense began showing life with quick underneath passes. One dump-off pass to Najee Harris resulted in a first down, but the play would knock the four-time 1,000-yard rusher out of the game.
A typically violent and stumbling open field run for Harris came to an end as a Bengals defender hit Harris helmet to helmet. Harris was helped off the field and taken to the locker room. He hasn't been designated with an official injury status by the team, but all reports indicate he is going through the concussion protocol.
On return from a commercial break, ESPN's broadcast team suggested the hit could have been penalized for the illegal helmet use by the defender on the tackle, but the officials didn't throw a flag.
The Steelers would score a touchdown two plays later after a 12-yard Russel Wilson scramble followed by a 19-yard touchdown toss from the quarterback to Pat Freiermuth.
The Steelers are in a low-scoring shootout of sorts, so offensive urgency is high. The Steelers may not look to run the ball much more often in this game, but Harris does provide a safety valve option in the passing game. Thankfully Jaylen Warren is efficient in that role as well.
In a broader picture, the Steelers will need Najee Harris in the playoffs, so hopefully, his injury won't keep out for an extended period.
We'll continue to moniter Harris's status as more information becomes available.