Chargers just tipped their hand on Najee Harris for Chiefs game

Jim Harbaugh wants to maintain some mystery about his backfield, but the tea leaves are quite clear: running back Najee Harris is going to suit up and play for the L.A. Chargers in Week 1.

The Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs are headed to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to face off in a primetime international spectacle and important AFC West contest. It's a statement-making broadcast that could either serve as a signature win for Harbaugh in his second season in L.A., which is why the Chargers aren't going to play it cautious with Harris.

The Chargers officially moved Harris from their non-football injury (NFI) list to the active 53-man roster this week, which cleared the way for his debut in L.A. The veteran running back had missed training camp after suffering an eye injury during a July 4 fireworks accident, which cast doubt on his availability for the regular-season opener.

While Harris has missed considerable time, the truth is that the Chargers haven't made a single move in case he's not ready to take the field. Instead, Harbaugh has decided to carry three running backs on the active roster with precious little time before taking a long international flight.

The Chargers' actions speak louder than words with Najee Harris.

In short, the Chargers have positioned themselves to need Harris, and they would only do so knowing they will have Harris.

On Tuesday, Harris was a full participant in practice, which only further bolsters the idea that he's going to be available.

If the Chargers' brass thought there was any real doubt about Harris's availability versus the Chiefs, the backfield would look much different than it does. Yes, they have first-round pick Omarion Hampton as a potential workhorse, but the only other active RB is Hassan Haskins, a special teamer and waiver claim from the Tennessee Titans who was just signed last week.

Given the immediacy of the moment with zero time remaining for further additions to the club, the only recourse for the Chargers at this stage is to promote someone from the practice squad. That would be irresponsible—if Harris wasn't going to play.

This offseason, the Chargers signed Harris as part of a backfield overhaul. Last year’s lead back, J.K. Dobbins, departed for Denver in free agency after gaining 905 yards on the ground and 9 scores in 2024. Harris became the new load-bearing back while Hampton adjusts to life in the NFL by signing a one-year deal worth up to $9.25 million.

Harris is entering his fifth NFL season after four straight 1,000-yard campaigns with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 68 career games, he’s logged 4,312 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, averaging just under 4.0 yards per carry.

It's within the realm of possibility that Harris will indeed sit out Week 1. The Chargers are leaving that door open in remarks to the media. But the actions speak louder than words here, expressing a confidence that Harris will be able to share the load in Week 1 in a dynamite matchup against the Chiefs.