New Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Damon “Snacks” Harrison practiced with his new team on Thursday and could play Sunday in the season finale against the Chicago Bears.
The Packers claimed Harrison off of waivers from the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday. He was in the building and available on Thursday.
“That’s a big-time pickup for us, especially this late in the season” coach Matt LaFleur said Thursday. “That doesn’t happen very often.”
Harrison, an All-Pro back in 2016, has been one of the most highly-regarded run defenders in football over the last decade. He’s 32 now, but the Packers are still confident he can add value as a run defender as the playoffs near.
LaFleur wasn’t 100 percent sure Harrison would play against the Bears, but the door is certainly open for him to make his Packers debut at Soldier Field.
“We’ll see how the week goes,” LaFleur said. “That’s always hard to ask somebody, but then again you’re dealing with a true pro, a veteran who has been around and seen a lot. It’s just, how fast can we get him acclimated to what we’re trying to do and what we’re asking him to do.”
LaFleur said Harrison is a “problem to block,” which made him a good fit for the Packers defensive line, especially against the run.
“I think he can give us a lot in terms of playing the nose,” LaFleur said. “He’s a really good run defender and he has been for a really long time. I’m just excited to get him in the building.”
Harrison played six games and 138 snaps with the Seahawks, who waived him on Tuesday. The Packers attempted to add him during the offseason and again during the season, but Harrison picked Seattle.
In Green Bay, Harrison will get another chance to play for a Super Bowl contender.
As a true nose tackle or one technique, Harrison should have a fairly straightforward role for the defensive line.
“Hopefully, he can get acclimated pretty quickly,” LaFleur said. “What we’ve heard, he’s a really intelligent guy, he obviously has a lot of experience. That usually expedites the learning curve for these guys.”
