Nov 27, 2014 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – Josh Harris has been picturing the moment when he gets his first NFL carry in his mind since he was a little boy.

And Dri Archer has quickly learned how precious those few carries a running back might get in the league are as well.

That’s why neither will be complaining or pouting like former Steelers’ teammate LeGarrette Blount as they serve as the backup to running back Le’Veon Bell Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

“It’s the fact that he’s played six years or so. He’s been the main guy. I felt like it was harder for him,” said Harris of Blount, who was released by the Steelers last week after walking off the field prior to the conclusion of a 27-24 win at Tennessee.

“For me, I’m just happy to even have the chance to be on a team like this.”

With Blount’s release, the Steelers elevated Harris from the practice squad. Now, he and Archer, a pair of rookies with eight career carries among them – all by Archer – will be the team’s backups to its star in Bell.

“We’re both excited,” said Archer, a third-round draft pick. “Le’Veon is a great teacher, even though he’s young also. We lean on each other. We’re both excited about the opportunity.”

And they should get some opportunities. While Blount was upset he didn’t get a carry against the Titans, it’s unlikely the Steelers will want to continue to lean on Bell quite as heavily as they did in that game. Bell was on the field for 70 of 74 snaps and had 33 carries and two receptions.

The chance Harris will get is something he thought might have been slipping away after the draft.

The former Wake Forest star went undrafted in the spring and slipped through the flurry of signings following the draft as well.

The Steelers finally called him July 29, after reporting to training camp at Saint Vincent College. Alvester Alexander was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List after showing up at camp with an injury and the Steelers needed another running back.

“You sit at home and you work hard, so you feel like you should have a shot,” said Harris, who rushed for 2,230 yards and 19 touchdowns in four years at Wake Forest. “I knew I would get a shot. And I knew that as soon as I got that opportunity, I would take advantage of it. It’s just the fact, that as time went on, I had to make sure my mind was on that, not feeling sorry for myself. You have to make sure you work hard because when that shot comes, you’re only going to get one shot.”

Harris made the most of his chance, sticking on the Steelers’ practice squad,

Now, he and Archer figure into much larger roles.

In the 5-8, 173-pound Archer, the Steelers know they have a player capable of scoring every time he touches the football. Archer, who has gained 41 yards on his eight carries this season, ran the second-fastest recorded time in NFL combine history at 4.26 seconds.

But at 5-10, 210 pounds, Harris might be a better fit as an every-down runner.

Harris had 41 yards on eight preseason carries, but they were just that, preseason carries.

“Inside stadiums I don’t have much to draw from,” admitted Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley. “But I do like his attention to detail and how he has worked at practice. He is a young guy that has worked hard and is deserving of an opportunity. And we will give him that.”

Haley’s not the only one who doesn’t know what to expect. Harris isn’t even sure what it will be like to actually play in a regular season NFL game, something he’s dreamed about as long as he can remember.

“I’m sure it’s not like anything I’ve seen,” Harris said. “Practices are pretty intense. But I’m sure it doesn’t show how fast it can move in an actual game. I’m just going to look forward to that first snap so I can actually see it.

“Your whole life, you work to get to a place. To see that place is actually here right now is amazing. I’m just so ready to get this first game behind me so. I know I’ll be out there and going, ‘Oh man.’ As soon as I get that first game out of the way, I know I’ll be OK.”

Right tackle Marcus Gilbert injured his ankle in a collision with guard Ramon Foster Wednesday and did not practice Thursday for the Steelers. … Nose tackle Steve McLendon (shoulder) and linebacker Ryan Shazier (ankle) were limited. … After missing practice Wednesday with an illness, wide receiver Martavis Bryant returned Thursday.