Bengals LB Germaine Pratt pays heavy penalty for ugly tackle on Steelers Najee Harris
Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt slapped with a 22k fine for giving Steelers running back Najee Harris a concussion.
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Bengals Germaine Pratt fined for hurting Steelers Najee Harris (Image via IMAGO/X)
The potential final regular season game with the Pittsburgh Steelers did not go according to plan for Najee Harris. A tackle from Germaine Pratt left him shaken enough to leave the game.
Pratt and the Bengals secured an important win in their quest to play in the postseason. However, a Denver Broncos victory knocked the Bengals out for the second year running. Additionally, the NFL imposed a substantial fine on Pratt.
The 28-year-old linebacker’s helmet-to-helmet challenge was deemed too dangerous for the league authorities. Video clips showed that the impact turned Harris’ head badly, leaving him dazed for a short while.
On Saturday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the league fined Pratt $22,521 for the tackle on Harris.
The NFL fined #Bengals LB Germaine Pratt $22,511 for unnecessary roughness — a helmet-to-helmet hit on #Steelers RB Najee Harris last week. pic.twitter.com/uGTVwrcQlN
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 11, 2025
Will Najee Harris play against Baltimore Ravens in wild card?
Not long after the tackle, the 26-year-old Harris was taken to the blue tent and then to the nearby medical facility for further evaluation. He didn’t rejoin the game and Jaylen Warren took over the running back duties. Before leaving the game, Harris recorded 12 carries for 36 yards, one touchdown, and three receptions for 22 yards.
Later, reports surfaced that Harris had suffered a minor head injury/concussion, raising questions about his availability for the playoffs. Even after losing their final four fixtures, the 10-7 Steelers sneaked through into the wildcard round. Results elsewhere helped their cause.
A few days removed from the injury seems to have worked for the Pro Bowl running back. He’s most likely to start against the Baltimore Ravens in the wildcard round on Saturday night, which could even be his final outing for the Steelers.
The Ravens have 72% odds of winning the game at home against their divisional rivals. Harris’ contract with the Steelers runs out when the 2024 season ends. Unless the Pittsburgh team defeats the Ravens, fans might never see him play in the black and yellow in the future.
This is a production business. All you can do… I’ve been put in situations where you just gotta make the best of your opportunity. Wherever that is, it is, and if you said finish the best you can, that’s all you can do.
Najee Harris said on Thursday via Steelers reporter Chris Adamski
On an expiring contract, RB Najee Harris says he’s been aware that this could be his last game with the Steelers. But he doesn’t dwell on sentimentality. pic.twitter.com/DzhX6VHwxv
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 9, 2025
Najee Harris definitely played with a chip on his shoulder this season after the Steelers didn’t pick up his fifth-year option. He recorded 1000 rushing yards every year for the Steelers.
In the 2024 season, he logged 263 rushes for 1043 yards and 6 touchdowns. It was a down year as he had to share snaps with Warren, who carried the ball 120 times for 511 yards and scored one touchdown.
Related: Mike Evans wary of the tough challenge of facing Marshon Lattimore again: “Got to be at my best”
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Ishan Misra
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