In a surprising turn of events just ahead of the NFL season, Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris is dealing with a “superficial” eye injury resulting from an unfortunate fireworks incident during a 4th of July celebration. While the specifics of the injury remain somewhat unclear, reports from his agent suggest that Harris is expected to be ready when the season kicks off.
According to his agent, Doug Hendrickson, Harris was among several attendees affected by the fireworks mishap. “Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident, but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season,” Hendrickson stated. This sounds promising for Chargers fans as they eagerly anticipate the start of the season.
The timeline of the injury points to a late-night incident on July 5 in Antioch, California, where Harris was taken to John Muir Hospital for initial treatment before being transferred to Stanford Hospital for further evaluation. As of now, it remains to be seen whether this injury will hinder Harris’s participation in critical offseason activities like training camp and preseason games. However, the indication from his agent gives a strong hint that he’ll be back in action for the Chargers’ first game on September 5.
Harris is a player to keep an eye on this season. Drafted in the first round in 2021, he enjoyed a successful four-year tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Chargers on a one-year deal worth up to $9.25 million this past March. This 2021 Pro Bowler has established a solid track record, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons, including a commendable 1,043 yards and six touchdowns last year.
As the Chargers are poised to make a strong push this season, Harris will likely play a pivotal role, potentially leading a backfield that also includes rookie running back Omarion Hampton, a first-round pick from North Carolina. The Chargers are building off their best season since 2018, finishing with an 11-6 record and reaching the Wild Card Round before falling to the Houston Texans. With the coaching prowess of Jim Harbaugh guiding the team into Year 2, the addition of Harris could be just what Los Angeles needs to elevate their game and make a deeper playoff run.
Fans can breathe a sigh of relief as they await updates on Harris’ recovery, but if these early signs hold true, it looks like the Chargers’ backfield will be in good hands come September.
