The Los Angeles Chargers’ new running back, Najee Harris, has returned to practice after sustaining an eye injury around the Fourth of July. Harris, who joined the Chargers in free agency this offseason to bolster the team’s offense alongside rookie Omarion Hampton, was initially sidelined by a fireworks-related incident in early July.

Progress was reported on Wednesday when NFL Network’s Bridget Condon noted that Harris was participating in team activities while running with a weighted vest on the practice field, albeit working off to the side.

This development follows a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who revealed that Harris had taken part in drills involving a football for the first time during this training camp, again under the close guidance of an athletic trainer during Tuesday’s session.

Details of the Fourth of July Incident and Medical Treatment

The injury occurred on the morning of July 5 in Antioch, California, during a fireworks mishap at an apartment complex. According to local police and reports from the San Francisco Chronicle, six men and a 13-year-old boy were also injured in the explosion.

Harris was treated initially at John Muir Hospital in Concord before being transferred to Stanford Hospital. His agent, Doug Hendrickson, confirmed Harris’s presence at the scene, describing the injury as a superficial eye wound with no long-term expected effects on his playing availability.

Najee Harris was present at a 4th of July event where a fireworks mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees,

Hendrickson said in a statement.

Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident, but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season.

—Doug Hendrickson, Agent

Injury Outlook and Expectations for the 2025 Season

Despite early concerns about Harris’s condition, the outlook remains positive for his full recovery ahead of the 2025 NFL season. In a statement from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on July 14, he indicated that while some questions about Harris’s availability are understandable, the running back is not anticipated to miss significant playing time.

I think some questions regarding Najee Harris’ availability is fair,

Rapoport said.

My understanding of where he stands is he is not expected to miss significant time. Now, there was a fireworks incident, it does sound like some damage — superficial

was the word that his agent Doug Hendrickson used.

But from what I understand, this will be someone on the field sooner rather than later and is not expected to miss games.

—Ian Rapoport, NFL Network Analyst

Harris’s Career and Role with the Chargers

Najee Harris signed a one-year contract with the Chargers worth $9.25 million after entering free agency. He originally began his professional career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected him 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

During his time with the Steelers, Harris consistently rushed for over 1,000 yards each season and made the Pro Bowl in his rookie year after accumulating 1,200 rushing yards. Over his tenure in Pittsburgh, he amassed 4,312 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, along with 1,149 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.

The Steelers opted not to exercise his fifth-year option, allowing him to join the Chargers where he aims to contribute under offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

Upcoming Season and Team Outlook

The Chargers are slated to begin the regular season on September 5, facing the reigning AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs. With Harris’s return to practice and anticipated readiness for the season, Los Angeles looks to integrate him fully into their offensive scheme as they chase a strong campaign in 2025.