Najee Harris signed with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason on a one-year fully guaranteed contract worth $5.25 million, with incentives potentially increasing the total to $9.25 million. After being selected 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris spent his first four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he established himself as one of the league’s most dependable running backs.
Across those four seasons, Harris accumulated 4,312 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on 1,097 carries, reaching at least 1,000 rushing yards and six touchdowns each year. He also contributed 1,149 receiving yards and six scores on 180 receptions, proving his dual-threat ability out of the backfield.
Off-Field Injury Puts Harris’s Training Camp Appearance in Question
Despite his strong record of durability, having played in every regular season and playoff game during his time with Pittsburgh, Harris faced an unexpected setback due to a non-football injury. He sustained an eye injury in a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July, an incident that also seriously injured others nearby. Although Harris has made visits to the Chargers’ facility and participated in team meetings, he was placed on the non-football injury list, raising doubts about his participation in training camp.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh addressed the situation in a press briefing, indicating uncertainty about Harris’s return timeline. Prominent sports reporter Kris Rhim shared Harbaugh’s comments, highlighting the cautious approach being taken:
Jim Harbaugh said Najee Harris is healing and doing everything he can to get back on the field. Harbaugh said he doesn’t know if Harris will be back for training camp
—Kris Rhim, ESPN Reporter
While Harris is actively engaged in team meetings, he has not yet been evaluated by the Chargers’ medical staff, as he continues to receive treatment from doctors at Stanford. The specifics of the injury’s severity have not been fully disclosed, fueling some uncertainty about his recovery timeline.
Agent Optimistic About Harris’s Readiness for Season Start
Despite the concerns voiced by the coaching staff, Harris’s agent Doug Hendrickson offered a more reassuring update recently, describing the injury as “superficial” and expressing confidence that Harris should be ready by the time the new season begins. This optimism is critical for the Chargers, whose rushing offense ranked only 17th last year, especially after losing key running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards in the offseason.
Given Harris’s proven production and the diminished depth in the Chargers’ running back group, his timely recovery could be vital for the team’s ground game performance going forward. The uncertainty, however, leaves the Chargers in a cautious position as they prepare for their upcoming training camp and the regular season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Najee Harris?
A. On July 4, Harris hurt his eye because of a fireworks accident. His agent, Doug Hendrickson, described the injury as “minor.” Chargers general manager, Joe Hortiz, stated on Wednesday afternoon that the team expected to put Harris on the NFI list, though he had not shown up by then.
Q. What’s happening to Najee Harris?
A. Najee Harris, a running back for the Los Angeles Chargers, injured his eye during a fireworks accident on July 4. On Thursday, the team added him to the non-football injury/illness list. Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz believes Harris will not stay on this list for a long time.