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Chargers Receive Excellent Najee Harris News After Frightening Eye Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Aug 13, 2025 7:54 AM ET

Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris is inching closer to returning from a frightening eye injury sustained in a July 4 fireworks accident.

Harris, who joined the Chargers on a one-year deal worth up to $9.25 million in March, participated in drills with an athletic trainer on Tuesday. The fifth-year running back has only walked laps with a helmet and weighted vest since Aug. 2.

Harris suffered what agent Doug Hendrickson called a “superficial eye injury” in a fireworks mishap. It is unclear how severe the eye injury was, nor have the Chargers officially announced if Harris will play in Week 1.

First-round pick Omarion Hampton will split carries with a to-be-determined running back in Harris’s absence. Kimani Vidal, Raheim Sanders, Hassan Haskins, and Nyheim Miller-Hines are battling for the third running back spot; Haskins leads the Chargers with 67 rushing yards on nearly 5.6 yards per carry through two preseason games.

Veteran running back Jaret Patterson, who spent most of last season on the Chargers’ practice squad, has been out for a week with an undisclosed injury.

The Chargers Need Najee Harris to Stay Healthy

Harris, the No. 24 pick in 2021, rushed for 4,312 yards and 28 touchdowns in four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s also a reliable receiving back, totaling 180 catches and six touchdowns in Pittsburgh despite the Steelers’ constant quarterback issues.

The Chargers have not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Melvin Gordon in 2017. J.K. Dobbins rushed for 905 yards and nine touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry last season, but joined the rival Denver Broncos in June.

Los Angeles begins its 2025 season against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, Sept. 5, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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