Head coach Mike Tomlin said that he plans to play Harris in all four of the Steelers' preseason games, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette reports. "He's a rookie," Tomlin said of the team's new top back. "He needs the process of game preparation and to ultimately play. We have four opportunities for him to do that and we're going to make sure he participates in all four of those processes."
Based on that comment and Tomlin's assertion that the team will focus on pre-game "preparation process" for the No. 24 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris should be in line for some work in Thursday's preseason opener versus Dallas. As a rookie, the Alabama product has an immediate path to fantasy utility during the regular season, but even if he does suit up for all of Pittsburgh's exhibition contests, the team will likely manage Harris' exposure to contact.