In an example embodiment a harvesting header has a cutter mechanism to cut crop material, a discharge opening through which the crop material may be discharged, at least one conditioning roll to condition crop material cut by the cutter mechanism that passes through the discharge opening, and a helper roll extending laterally outward of the discharge opening. A support may be provided at the discharge opening for rotatably supporting the helper roll. In one example embodiment the helper roll comprises a first sub-helper roll and a second sub-helper roll that are rotatably coupled to a bearing assembly mounted at the discharge opening.