PITTSBURGH -- Josh Harris might not be as big as Le'Veon Bell or as fast as Dri Archer, but he could be a key component for the Pittsburgh Steelers' running game down the stretch this season.

Harris, an undrafted rookie free agent this year, spent the early part of this season on the Steelers' practice squad after earning a spot with the team during a spring tryout. However, when LeGarrette Blount was released, Harris was promoted to the club's 53-man roster.

While his role has yet to be specifically defined, Harris -- as well as Archer -- are the only backups for Bell. Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley said that upcoming practices will determine which player gets more snaps after Bell gets his, and that could be the key for Harris.

"I bring, pretty much, speed,'' Harris said. "There aren't too many RBs ... I doubt there are too many RBs who have the speed that I do. So, I think I can bring that element to our offense in the snaps that I do get."

"I also can help on special teams, but I'm happy to just be on the field. We really haven't looked at the ways I can help this team, but once we do that then we can go from there.''

The Steelers' offensive line had perhaps its best day ever in pass protection in Week 8 vs. the Colts. The Steelers' offensive line had perhaps its best day ever in pass protection in Week 8 vs. the Colts.

Harris was believed to be a third-day pick during the 2014 NFL Draft, expected to go late in the day somewhere during Rounds 5-7. But his name was never called. Harris believed someone in the Wake Forest Athletic Department, possibly members of the Demon Deacons coaching staff, might have damned him with faint praise.

"They said that I was good, but I could be better if I worked a little harder,'' Harris said. "But at my pro day, I showed that I do work hard, because I wouldn't have performed the way that I did. If I didn't work hard I wouldn't have the results that I had. And they have a whole new staff at Wake Forest now, so I need to be straight with them so I can go back someday if I want to. And I want to move forward from that right now."

"(But) I feel that everything happens for a reason, so I have to look at it on the bright side. Me going undrafted was actually a good thing, because who knows what team I would have ended up on or what team I would have ended up with. We got a chance to pick Pittsburgh, and now I have a chance to play and show what I can do. And I can't ask for anything more than that.''

Harris was asked if he heard the name Willie Parker before. Parker was another rookie who was not drafted because of questions about his work ethic. Harris indicated he hoped to make an impact like Parker did when he got the chance. The Steelers should be so lucky. Bell has been impressed so far.

"He's a phenomenal runner,'' Bell said about Harris. "I've been watching him all year, leading up to this week. I'm glad he's going to get an opportunity. He's been doing a great job, but now he needs to step things up because he's no longer a practice squad member."

"And I know that he'll be ready. ... He's real explosive and strong. And fast, real fast, and he got better each and every week. I've seen it, and I think he can pick up things right now. He just has to get comfortable in our offense, and he'll be fine. But that shouldn't take him long.''

James Harrison destroyed the Baltimore Ravens. James Harrison destroyed the Baltimore Ravens.

Harris said it was his lifelong dream to play in the NFL and he doesn't want to mess it up. So, he's going to lean on Bell to follow his lead on and off the field.

"I've seen how he handles things,'' Harris said. "I saw it the past nine weeks and I realized what he does and how he does things. I've been able to learn from him. He always pays attention in meetings and works so hard on and off the field. So, it's easy for me to follow his example, and I need to make sure I follow him. He's a truly great player, and I can't wait to play alongside of him."

"It's huge to take advantage of this situation. It's not like these opportunities come to all people, so I have a very unique opportunity to show what I can do and I have to take full advantage of it. I need to show people that my time here has been worth it, and I can help this team in whatever way they need me. So, I can't wait to get my chance to show what I can do.''

That's going to happen sooner, rather than later, for Harris and the Steelers.