Chargers running back Najee Harris sustained an eye injury after a fireworks mishap at a July Fourth event in Antioch, his agent Doug Hendrickson said in a statement to multiple media outlets on Thursday. Hendrickson said the injury was “superficial” and that Harris is expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season.
Hendrickson said the “mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees.” One person was hospitalized after he lost fingers in the accident in Antioch, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, citing police.
The incident happened about 12:20 a.m. on July 5. In a statement, Antioch police said some of the injured were treated at the scene, with the San Jose Mercury News reporting that Harris, an East Bay native, ended up going to two different hospitals for treatment.
Officers are trying to track down everyone who was involved to understand exactly what happened.
“This is an unfortunate accident, and our thoughts are with the family and all those affected during this difficult time,” police wrote in a July 5 Facebook post about the incident. “We ask for patience and privacy for the families as the investigation continues.”
The Chargers declined to comment.
Harris, 27, signed a one-year deal worth up to $9.25 million in March as the Chargers look to rebuild their running game and try to make consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 2008 and 2009. If Harris were to miss any time, the team would have to lean heavily on rookie Omarion Hampton, its first-round draft pick out of North Carolina.
Harris rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His physical style of running is one that Harbaugh has always coveted, and it makes him a potentially key cog for the team this season. Harbaugh recruited Harris when he was the head coach at Michigan, before Harris ultimately chose to attend Alabama.
“He’s the same guy he always was,” Harris said of Harbaugh in mid-March after joining the Chargers. “Energetic. Life of the party. He’s a good guy to be around. Down to earth. He makes you feel comfortable.”
The Chargers begin training camp next week (July 17) to begin preparations for the upcoming season. The Chargers open preseason play against the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game on July 31 in Canton, Ohio, and open the regular season in Brazil on Sept. 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs.