PITTSBURGH -- James Harrison is returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The five-time Pro Bowl linebacker has signed a two-year contract with the team that will keep Harrison in black and gold past his 40th birthday.
Harrison led the Steelers with five sacks in 2016. He became the franchise's all-time sack leader last season when he broke Jason Gildon's club record. Harrison now has 79 1-2 sacks in 13 years with the team.
The signing gives Pittsburgh some reassurance as it prepares for free agency. The team is unlikely to re-sign linebacker Jarvis Jones, the player Pittsburgh drafted in 2013 to replace Harrison.
Harrison, who retired briefly in 2014, said he felt energized by his performance during 2016 and indicated he wanted to come back after the Steelers fell to New England in the AFC championship game.
---
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL