RB DuJuan Harris Joins NFC North Rival Minnesota Vikings

The free agent running back joins Brandon Bostick as the second former Packers player to join the Vikings this offseason.

Running back DuJuan Harris—Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports.

Running back DuJuan Harris—Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports.

Former Green Bay Packers running back DuJuan Harris is the latest player to join the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings, according to agent Andy Simms on Twitter:

Harris is the second player to switch from the Packers to the Vikings this offseason, joining tight end Brandon Bostick, who was picked up on waivers last month.

Other notable Packers to cross the border into Minnesota in the past decade include Brett Favre, Greg Jennings, Desmond Bishop and Ryan Longwell to name a few.

Harris entered the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent, although the Packers chose not to offer him a tender, allowing him to sign with any team he chooses.

The Packers did offer a tender to their only other exclusive rights free agent, safety Chris Banjo.

Harris had a disapointing season as the team's primary kick returner, averaging just 20.7 yards per attempt. He was also rarely used at running back with just 16 rushing attempts and one reception on the year.

The lack of production from Harris was a letdown in light of the spark he provided during the 2012 season with a combined 62 carries for 257 yards between the regular season and postseason and scoring four touchdowns.

A torn patellar tendon forced Harris to miss the entire 2013 season on injured reserve.

Now that Harris is no longer a Packer, the team will be looking for a third-string option to back up Eddie Harris and James Starks, perhaps someone with some long-term potential seeing as Starks enters 2015 in the final year of his contract.

The Packers will also be looking for a new kick-return specialist and have several in-house candidates, including Randall Cobb, Micah Hyde, Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis in addition to any rookies they might add.

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Comments (44)

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L's picture

March 19, 2015 at 04:11 pm

Off-Topic: I'm disappointed that Sterling Moore signed a 1 year contract worth a max value of $1.525 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today without ever having a simple visit with the Packers. I wanna know what TT was waiting for in regards to bring him in for a visit? Sterling seemed exactly like the type of player to kick the proverbial tires on and possibly sign to a team friendly contract in order to compete for a spot on the 53. He's young (25), has solid measurables, has game day experience, he wouldn't have counted against the Pack's comp picks next year (very important to TT), and he finished last season as one of the 25 best cornerbacks in football, according to PFF. He played over 713 snaps, he broke up eight passes and allowed just 61% of the passes thrown his way to be caught. WTF Ted, I'm quite disappointed.

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Samson's picture

March 19, 2015 at 04:26 pm

TT didn't draft him.

Think Safety two years ago. Or BU QB two years ago.

The edge in the NFL is razor thin. --- If any team has a exploitable weakness then they (most likely) will be watching the SB in 2016. --- Right now, CB is an obvious & potential issue for the Pack in season 2015. --- TT still has time but .....

We are now entering season 5 without a championship. ---- AR is now 30+ for the first time in his career. --- Think about it.

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EddieLee's picture

March 19, 2015 at 04:40 pm

Because maybe TT and Joe Whitt, Jr. evaluated Sterling Moore and found him no better then Goodson or Glover-Wright. But hey, what do Joe Whitt and Ted Thompson know about developing CB talent.

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Samson's picture

March 19, 2015 at 04:58 pm

"But hey, what do Joe Whitt and Ted Thompson know about developing CB talent."

However, do they know enough ?? ---- A hole at CB may take a few years to fill. --- This does little for season 2015. ---- I'm think'in SB in season 2015 not sometime in the next 20 years.

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EddieLee's picture

March 20, 2015 at 11:27 am

"However, do they know enough ?? ---- A hole at CB may take a few years to fill. --- This does little for season 2015. ---- I'm think'in SB in season 2015 not sometime in the next 20 years."

I think they know enough that they couldn't match the contracts offered to House and Williams. Do you think they should have paid House and Williams what they got from the Jags and Browns? Two franchises that year after year after year make really stupid personal decision and then over-pay in free agency to try to patch the HUGE roster holes.

So, I understand the frustration from fans that claim we now have "a hole" at CB. It's the nature of the beast that is the NFL. You can't keep everyone and when your FA's are offered stupid money you have to let them walk. See James Jones. See Greg Jennings. See Scott Wells, Daryn Colledge, Erik Walden, Al Harris, etc, etc, etc...

I don't agree however that "A hole at CB may take a few years to fill" and ruins their 2015 chances. They have young super athletic but raw CB's on the roster. (think Shields) And, they have a draft. (think Ha Ha) Good GM's think long term and work around the inevitable roster holes that EVERY team has in this league. Have some faith that your team has really good coaches that can develop talent and a GM that has shown time after time that he can find really good CB's.

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L's picture

March 19, 2015 at 05:13 pm

Okay, even if their projection for him isn't any better talent wise to their projections for Goodson or Glover-Wright (if they were to see game-day action) the fact remains that Moore has already got game-day experience and he's shown that the NFL game isn't too big or fast for him, plus it's not like the cost it would have taken to bring Moore in for team tryouts this year would have broken the bank by any means. If by the time roster cuts came around they could have walked away from him without worry of crippling the team's financial situation. I love TT, I do... in Ted I trust; however, sometimes he makes mistakes (just like anyone does) and I think missing out on potentially adding someone like Moore to the team (the cornerback depth) is one of them.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 19, 2015 at 05:58 pm

Are you really going to bat for a potential # 4 CB?????

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L's picture

March 20, 2015 at 11:22 am

See my response to Danny below to better understand my perspective.

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EddieLee's picture

March 20, 2015 at 11:37 am

"I love TT, I do... in Ted I trust; however, sometimes he makes mistakes (just like anyone does) and I think missing out on potentially adding someone like Moore to the team (the cornerback depth) is one of them."

Williams and Shields were street free agents. House, Hayward, and Hyde were pretty good draft picks. I think they know what they are doing. And, if they think Glover-Wright and Goodson are better options then some other guy then I am certainly not going to doubt that decision given their track record at the CB position. Now ILB is a different story....

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NewNikeShoes's picture

March 20, 2015 at 12:08 pm

I got to agree with you man, I think TT is finding his groove with Cbs lately. Every single one has panned out, aside from Goodson, and have been stellar.

I'm just think off the top of my head, but TT's sole ILB draft pick was AJ Hawk, right?. Or did he draft more?

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 20, 2015 at 01:02 pm

DJ Smith was drafted and then cut a season or 2 afterwards. Maybe 3.

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NickPerry's picture

March 21, 2015 at 07:24 am

D.J. Smith was a 6th round pick in 2011 but I think when he had that knee injury that lead him to being cut more than anything IMO.

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L's picture

March 20, 2015 at 01:20 pm

For ILB: Brady Poppinga (outside/inside), Kurt Campbell, AJ Hawk, Abdul Hodge, Desmond Bishop, Brad Jones (outside/inside), Clay Matthews (outside/inside - recently), DJ.Smith, Terrell Manning, Sam Barrington, and Carl Bradford (outside/inside) to name just those he drafted. He also signed many Undrafted Free Agents as well as some Free Agents over the years too who played or competed at ILB; these are just the ones I remember: Roy Manning, Tracy White, Ben Taylor, Danny Lansanah, Spencer Havner (LB/TE), Brandon Chillar, Matt Wilhelm, Maurice Simpkins, Rob Francois, Jamari Lattimore, Victor Aiyewa, Joe Thomas, and Josh Francis (signed this off-season). There were likely several others who I can't recall either because they didn't make much news during training camp and/or got cut right away; plus, there were probably some who were signed to the practice squad for only a short period of time during a season.

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Samson's picture

March 20, 2015 at 04:56 pm

Nice post "L". -----You won't get many follow-up posts because you're using too many "facts" for some of these trolls like DannyDS (Stroh) & 4th & none. --- There's nothing worse for some of the homers to face the facts.

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murphy's picture

March 19, 2015 at 04:13 pm

How soon till Flynnsanity strikes the Vikings?

They need to replace Cassel, right?

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 19, 2015 at 05:55 pm

Maaaaaaaaan...

I WOULD DIE FROM LAUGHTER!

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TKWorldWide's picture

March 19, 2015 at 05:20 pm

Looks like AP just became available.

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ES 1957's picture

March 19, 2015 at 05:50 pm

Samson - stop with season 5 without a championship stuff. The Packers should've won last season and the fact that they didn't is hardly Teds fault. Do you think the Pats were ready to run Bellichick off after 9 seasons without a championship? We were deep at corner and now we're thin, but still better than the rest of the division. There are still 10-15 cheap FA CBs available and Draft Day (Xmas for Pack Fans) approaches.

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ben's picture

March 19, 2015 at 07:12 pm

should've is for losers

The Packers defensive middle has been soft or almost a DECADE. Marshawn Lych just ran over the Packer's for 157 Yards on his way to the superbowl. This offseason the Seahawks have greatly improved their offense, being able to run out of 2 TE sets with maybe best TE in the league in Jimmy Graham and maybe the most athletic and under-rated TE in the league in Luke Wilson. While the Packers are down to 1.5 players between both NT AND ILB, & 1 of those players, barrington is just a guy.

This time next year you'll still be saying the Packers "Should've won." But objectively, they shouldn't have, and again did not.

In ted you trust homers

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murphy's picture

March 19, 2015 at 06:55 pm

We know that you have Suhch a great football mind...

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NickPerry's picture

March 19, 2015 at 09:01 pm

Last year I was flipping out, I wanted the Packers to sign Chris Cleamons who had put up pretty good numbers at Safety in 2013 for Miami. TT didn't sign a Safety he drafted one and used other players until HHCD was ready to start. Seemed to work out okay.

2009 the Packers had one of the top ranked defenses in the NFL. The following year Al Harris knee was shredded and a UDFA named Sam Shields stepped up who TT signed and he proved to be a pivotal player for the Packers while they won SB 45.

At times it's frustrating as a fan to sit and watch TT do nothing while other teams "Seem" to get better. I know it worked for Philly with the "Dream Team" and Denver signed just about EVERYBODY last year and were one and done. Seattle has Graham and who else catching the ball? It will also be interesting how they replace the 2 starters from the OL they lost this year when they still haven't replaced the RT from 2 years ago, or WHAT will they do when Russell Wilsons contract is up this after this year, I mean the $$$ have to be getting tight with the money spent on defense. Sorry Ben, I'll be a "Homer" and go with Cobb, Nelson, Adams, Lacy, our OL, and Rodgers running the show everytime. Remember, Seattles won EXACTLY as many SB as the Packers have won the last 10 years and lost a hell of a lot more!

Sincerely,

Homer Nick

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aj's picture

March 19, 2015 at 09:32 pm

Ben, do you truly comprehend how difficult it is to win a championship? The franchise with the most super bowls in the league is at 6. This will be the 50th year the super bowl will be awarded, yet only 6 victories lead the league. In sports, the best team doesn't always win. The secret to winning titles is giving yourself as many chances as possible to get there. TT and MM have been constantly putting the team near the top of the league, and odds say that they'll climb that mountain soon enough again. You either aren't knowledgeable or are an entitled fan who believes in the idea of "super bowl or bust!" It's a fallacy man, you aren't going to win the championship repeatedly, enjoy the ride and the new lessons each season gives you. I personally enjoy seeing the packers playing games in January, and will be thankful for TT leading the ship when I'm watching them play in the playoffs yet again this season.

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4thand1's picture

March 19, 2015 at 09:58 pm

Ben should change his name to should've.

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ben's picture

March 19, 2015 at 07:30 pm

another mistake by TT.

Dujuan is 1 of the most gifted athletes in the NFL.

There may not be another player in the entire NFL who can run a sub 4.40 with a 1.44 10 yard split, has a 40 inch vertical, and puts up 225 lbs on the bench 27 times. Maybe not 1.

Harris also has good vision, good awareness, and can catch the ball out of the backfield. In the NFL he's averaged almost 5 yd/carry and has never fumbled.

The Packers weak defense has only gotten weaker and is in need of a lot of help. On the cheap, the Packer's #2-#3 RB could have been a strength right now with upside. Instead ted has added it to a very LONG list of NEEDs, while free-agency and trade opportunities have again passed him by.

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TKWorldWide's picture

March 19, 2015 at 07:50 pm

Like I said, AP just became expendable.
Maybe TT knew this would happen, and will pick him up off the scrap heap for pennies.

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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

March 20, 2015 at 10:48 am

LOL You're killing me man! Thanks for the off-season humor!

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zeke's picture

March 20, 2015 at 12:12 pm

Pop quiz: Who is the more gifted athlete, Dujuan Harris or La Michael James?

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NitschkeFan's picture

March 20, 2015 at 01:19 pm

Is that post a joke? You can't be seriously upset about losing the 3rd string RB.

Did you see the guy "play". He was a below average player at best. He stunk on special teams. Couldn't earn more than a 3rd string RB spot on the team.

A 3rd string RB. Who cares that this guy is gone? That is the most easily replaced change of the entire off-season.

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MarkinMadison's picture

March 19, 2015 at 06:29 pm

Who is Eddy Harris? :-)

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MarkinMadison's picture

March 19, 2015 at 06:29 pm

Who is Eddy Harris? :-)

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TarynsEyes's picture

March 19, 2015 at 08:01 pm

Losing DuJuan Harris to the Vikings is devastating...How will I sleep at night. :)

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4thand1's picture

March 19, 2015 at 10:00 pm

But he is such a great athlete , had the worst kick return average in the league.

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Packer_Pete's picture

March 20, 2015 at 07:44 am

how come when players are on the Packers roster they "suck" and need to be replaced, but once they sign with the Vikings they suddenly become "one of the best athletes in the NFL"... Yet the Vikings are perennial losers. Despite collecting all those great athletes?

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lou's picture

March 20, 2015 at 12:05 pm

This could be the "upgrade" the Packers need on Special Teams. What more could you ask for than Harris returning the ball to the 12 yard line on kickoffs and having Bostick (too much air between his helmet holes) to field our on side kicks. Ron Zook is doing cartwheels just thinking about this.

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Allan Murphy's picture

March 19, 2015 at 10:21 pm

Draft and what ?????

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joepacker's picture

March 19, 2015 at 11:39 pm

did eddie harris play with dujuan lacy?

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joepacker's picture

March 19, 2015 at 11:40 pm

wait. wasn't eddie harris the actor who played jackson warhol?

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HankScorpio's picture

March 20, 2015 at 07:15 pm

Eddie Harris threw a heck of a shineball in Major League.

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Clay Zombo's picture

March 20, 2015 at 01:05 am

Maybe the torn tendon in his knee or the cantaloupe sized cyst he had removed from his chest had something to do with his play last season and maybe they think he will never be the same DuJuan again.

I thought he deserved another training camp to prove himself but TT didnt. Glad to see somebody else saw his talent, too bad it had to be the Vikings.

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Packer_Pete's picture

March 20, 2015 at 07:49 am

Reality is he couldn't ever be more than the 3rd RB on the Packers, and Neal may be better than Harris, plus there certainly will be a draft pick or FA from the draft competing. And as a KR, he simply was the worst in the NFL, so even then he did not excel. What reason should've Ted had to keep him? Talent doesn't mean anything without production.

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aussiepacker's picture

March 20, 2015 at 07:12 am

How long until we call the Vikings, the Packers Lite?

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egbertsouse's picture

March 20, 2015 at 08:41 am

I hear that the Vikings have a guy watching the dumpster at Lambeau. Whenever TT finishest his lunch, the guy takes his leftovers to Spielman.

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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

March 20, 2015 at 10:49 am

Vikings continue to entertain. Love how they worship the Packers!

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ray nichkee's picture

March 22, 2015 at 08:02 pm

No disrespect to dujaun harris, he showed up in 2012 when we needed him. I cant figure out why the queens never picked up justin harrell.

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