RB Damien Harris reaches 1-year deal with Bills, source says

BUFFALO, N.Y. — On the same day the Bills saw their leading rusher the past four seasons depart for the Houston Texans, Buffalo reached agreement with former New England Patriots running back Damien Harris on a one-year deal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Just hours earlier, the Texans and Devin Singletary agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $3.75 million, Schefter reported. Singletary has led Buffalo in rushing since being selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft (pick No. 74). His replacement, Harris, was drafted by the Patriots 14 picks later, at No. 87.

Harris, who turned 26 in February, was supplanted by Rhamondre Stevenson as the Patriots' No. 1 running back in 2022. He was also limited by a thigh injury that sidelined him for six games.

As a result, he played just 22% of the offensive snaps, compared to 66% for Stevenson. That was a big change from 2021, when Harris played 36% of the offensive snaps and Stevenson totaled 25%.

The 5-foot-11, 213-pound Harris has played in 38 regular-season games (34 starts), totaling 449 rushes for 2,094 yards — averaging 4.7 yards per carry — and 20 touchdowns. He added 40 receptions for 281 yards.

Harris expressed his desire to return to the Patriots after the team's season-ending loss to Buffalo.

«If they want to have me, I'd love to be back,» Harris said. «But at the end of the day, I know this is a business. The organization is going to do what they feel is best for them and I have to do what I feel is best for me.»

Instead, Harris will join a Buffalo running backs room that includes 2022 second-round pick James Cook and Nyheim Hines, acquired at last season's trade deadline, in addition to veteran Duke Johnson.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane acknowledged