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Newest Los Angeles Chargers playmaker known for being durable ironman placed on non-football injury list

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 4:57 PM ET

The Los Angeles Chargers turned over its running back room from 2024 despite producing one of the surprising comeback players of the year in JK Dobbins. Instead of bringing the explosive slasher back and relying on his troubled injury history, Jim Harbaugh signed former Pittsburgh Steelers ironman Najee Harris.

Harris hasn't missed a game yet in his four-year career, notching at least 255 carries and 1,034 yards in each campaign. He's not dynamic, but he's consistent and available. Of course, as usual with the Chargers' peculiar susceptibility to injuries occurring, the durable rusher now has a sudden question mark next to his name.

On Thursday, Harris was placed on the active but non-football injury list by the team. He apparently suffered a fireworks-related eye injury on July 4, but general manager Joe Horitz doesn't expect him to be out long.

We have placed RB Najee Harris on Active/Non-Football Injury.
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 17, 2025

The good news for Pittsburgh is they have first-round tailback Omarion Hampton, undrafted free-agent Raheim Sanders, and veteran Hassan Haskins to help pick up the slack in the meantime.

Here's what I wrote about the potential pairing back in March.

Since arriving in Pittsburgh, Harris has been a volume ball-carrier behind a below-average offensive line. His efficiency has been bad, but he's never missed a game and can handle a huge workload.

The Chargers might prefer Dobbins' slashing style, but they should be wary of investing in someone with major injuries in his recent past. Harris doesn't move the needle himself, but he can pair with a rookie and be a terrific platoon player. Pittsburgh nearly had that with Jaylen Warren, but they never fed Warren enough to maximize the pairing.

Given his 240-pound frame and the natural strength that comes with his bulk, Harris' physicality will match Jim Harbaugh's offensive philosophy. Harris isn't as pulverizing as his size suggests, but there is still value in upgrading their run-blocking if the Chargers can. That's a critical part of a Harris signing working out, though, as he's not elusive nor overly creative.

The Chargers had the fourth-worst run-blocking offensive line in 2024, so that has to improve. Assuming it does through personnel upgrades and tweaks, Harris can serve as a hammer without breaking the bank for the Chargers.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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