Alabama’s Najee Harris won’t play in Saturday’s Senior Bowl - AL.com

Alabama running back Najee Harris won’t play in Saturday’s Reese’s Senior Bowl, executive director Jim Nagy told AL.com on Thursday.

Harris, a first-team All-American in 2020, has been dealing with an ankle injury since early in the Crimson Tide’s national championship game victory over Ohio State on Jan. 11. He practiced with the Senior Bowl’s National team both Tuesday and Wednesday in Mobile, but missed practice Thursday while undergoing treatment on his ankle and is “too banged up” to play on Saturday, Nagy said.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Harris received widespread praise from Nagy and other observers for showing up in Mobile at all and participating in as much of the week’s activities as he did. ESPN’s Todd McShay rates Harris as his No. 1 running back for the 2021 draft, ahead of Clemson’s Travis Etienne (who declined a Senior Bowl invitation).

“The fact that he’s even here in pads tells you everything you need to know about Harris.” McShay said, via 247 Sports. “I’ve said it before. His ankle was a grapefruit coming off of that national championship game. Jim Nagy had to basically tell him, ‘listen there is no pressure. You don’t have to play. Just show up and interview and do whatever you want.’ And he’s like, ‘no, no, you’re not talking to my agent right now. You’re talking to me. And I’m telling you that I’m going to show up and I’m going to do everything that I physically can do.’ And he’s done that so far. And that’s why, in my opinion, he’s the No. 1 running back even with Travis Etienne, who’s a great player as well. Both guys could wind up going in the first round.”

Reese's Senior Bowl: National team practice — National team running back Najee Harris of Alabama (22) practices for the Reese's Senior Bowl on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell/AL.com)

Harris rushed for an Alabama record 3,843 yards and 46 rushing touchdowns during his career, including 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2020. His 30 total touchdowns this past season — including four receiving — were also a Crimson Tide record.

Harris joins Alabama teammates DeVonta Smith (finger) and center Landon Dickerson (knee) among players who are in Mobile this weekend but won’t play in Saturday’s game. Quarterback Mac Jones, offensive linemen Alex Leatherwood and Deonte Brown and long-snapper Thomas Fletcher are expected to suit up in the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl, which kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile.

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