Jerome

Harrison

We’ll know Cleveland’s running back rotation once the preseason starts, but it’s possible that Harrison, a rookie, has passed Lee Suggs.

The versatile rookie was utilized frequently in various situations and finished with 70 yards on nine carries to go with two catches for ten yards. The Browns probably plan for Harrison to be a bigger part of the offense than William Green this season.

He added six catches and a nifty 31-yard score. Harrison will likely be Cleveland’s third-down back as a rookie and could push William Green out of the No. 2 hole behind Reuben Droughns.

Suggs added weight to improve his durability, but it may hurt his quickness. Harrison made a good early impression this off-season and has an edge over Suggs because he was drafted by the new Cleveland staff. Harrison is worth a shot late in deep drafts if he beats out Suggs.

Jason Wright is Reuben Droughns’ top backup. Harrison has more value than Wright in dynasty leagues, but Droughns no longer has a solid handcuff. Wright and Harrison would split carries if Droughns got hurt.

He played often on third downs, but didn’t have a catch. He should be Cleveland’s backup this season.

The draft pick doesn’t hold much value, but the Eagles did well in dealing a back who had fallen behind Dion Lewis in the pecking order. Harrison played well in a backup capacity for Philly last season, averaging six yards a carry. He may have to beat out Lewis to regain that role, so there’s not even “handcuff” value here just yet.

Here’s the touch count for the last three games: Keiland Williams eight, Morris six, Jerome Harrison zero. In fact, Harrison wasn’t even active for last week’s game against the Niners. Morris is 32 and a true backup, but this Lions regime has shown faith in him before. With Best hobbled over the final eight games of last season, Morris averaged 9.8 carries for 40.7 yards and 2.2 catches for 14.5 yards to go with five touchdowns. Harrison would likely be mixed in as a change-of-pace back and Williams will continue to serve as the short-yardage specialist.

Harrison was thought to be a healthy scratch in Week 6, but he’s obviously dealing with some sort of injury. With Jahvid Best (concussion) out, the Lions’ backfield is now muddled heading into Week 6, though Keiland Williams and Maurice Morris split first-team reps on Wednesday. It’s a volatile situation. With more experience than Williams in coordinator Scott Linehan’s offense, Morris might be the best bet for carries against the Falcons.

Last year’s rejected trade to the Eagles may have saved Harrison’s life, as Philly’s doctors discovered a brain tumor on his physical. The Lions had to declare that Harrison would not participate in the 2012 regular season or postseason to place him on the NFI list as a non-roster player.