Patriots starter Damien Harris reportedly ‘day-to-day’ after exiting twice against Texans

The initial outlook is positive for Damien Harris.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the New England Patriots running back “checked out OK” after leaving in the third and fourth quarters of Sunday’s 25-22 win over the Houston Texans with chest and ribs injuries.

Harris would twice be announced as questionable to return by the team. But follow-up tests ruled out anything significant and his status is “best described as day-to-day,” Rapoport said.

The 24-year-old played 21 offensive snaps at NRG Stadium, which trailed rookie Rhamondre Stevenson’s 22 and veteran Brandon Bolden’s 24 on an afternoon in which sophomore back J.J. Taylor was a healthy inactive.

Along the way arrived 14 carries for 58 yards with one touchdown and a fumble at the goal line against Texans cornerback Terrance Mitchell that nullified another. It marked the second fumble through five starts this fall for Harris.

The 2019 third-round draft choice out of Alabama stands with 230 rushing yards, 46 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns over the course of 70 touches.

The Patriots host the Dallas Cowboys for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff next Sunday at Gillette Stadium.