GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Packers running back DuJuan Harris, who finished last season as the team's starter, was placed on injured reserve after re-injuring his knee in Friday's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Harris said the injury, which first occurred during offseason workouts, is to his patellar tendon.
"[It's] not ruptured," Harris said. "Just trying to, like, prevent it from popping, so I'm good. Everything's still intact and all that. It's just a little problem right now that needs to be fixed."
Even though the Packers drafted Eddie Lacy in the second round of April's draft, they had planned to use Harris and Lacy as a one-two punch.
Harris said he is likely headed for surgery but did not know when that would take place. After missing most of the offseason program and the first two weeks of training camp, Harris returned to practice Aug. 12 and was making his preseason debut against Seattle.
"It's a similar injury he suffered in the OTAs," coach Mike McCarthy said. "That's why he pretty much hadn't practiced in 12 weeks; I think that was the time frame he went through the rehab phase. So a similar injury the other night. I could see it in his eyes as he came off the field, so I really haven't felt good about it since the game. But then that was made clear today."
After hobbling off the field against the Seahawks, Harris said he had an idea something was wrong. "But I didn't think it was going to be season-over trouble," Harris said. "But ... if it's for the best and better long-term, hey, I'm all for it."
McCarthy said the Packers haven't decided whether they will designate Harris for return later in the season. Teams can use that on one player per season. To do so, the Packers would have to carry Harris on the 53-man roster through Week 1.
The 5-foot-8, 203-pound Harris started the final four games, including playoffs, for the Packers last season. His best performance came in Week 17, when he rushed for 70 yards on 14 carries at Minnesota.
