EL SEGUNDO — The Chargers held their 24th and final practice of training camp Thursday afternoon, which meant running back Najee Harris was sidelined for each and every one of those sessions after suffering what his agent called a “superficial” eye injury during a July 4 fireworks accident.
What happens next is anyone’s guess.
Coach Jim Harbaugh couldn’t say for certain when asked Thursday. Harris hasn’t spoken to reporters since before the accident in his Bay Area hometown of Antioch. So, getting a definitive answer on Harris’ availability to practice or to play was elusive, mainly because the Chargers say publicly they don’t know, either.
The NFL doesn’t require teams to provide injury updates until Week 1, and even then teams don’t often provide specifics. The Chargers so far have declined to provide a medical update on Harris’ condition, referring reporters’ questions to a statement made last month by Harris’ agent, Doug Hendrickson.
Harris has spent all of training camp on the non-football injury list, and he could begin the season there, too. The Chargers’ season opener is Sept. 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Rosters for all NFL teams must be trimmed to 53 players by Tuesday’s deadline.
Hendrickson said in July that Harris was expected to be ready to play Sept. 5. However, Harris has been limited to performing drills on the sidelines while his teammates have participated in their practices. He has graduated from long, slow walks around the fields to sprinting short distances.
Harbaugh said he speaks to Harris daily and asks a simple question of him.
“When Najee is ready to play, Najee will be ready to play,” Harbaugh said. “Every day I talk to him. This I can talk about. I see Najee every day. I talk to Najee every day. ‘How are you feeling? Is it better?’ My question is, ‘Is it better than yesterday?’ And he says, ‘Yes,’ each day I have asked him. So, that is really encouraging. It just gives you hope that tomorrow will be better than today.”
So, make of that what you will.
“Improvement will lead to success,” Harbaugh added.
The Chargers signed Harris with the belief that he would improve their running game, replacing the good-but-certainly-not-great tandem of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, who departed as free agents after the 2024 season. Dobbins gained a career-high 905 yards in 13 games.
Harris topped 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harbaugh recruited Harris out of Antioch High School while coaching at Michigan, but lost out in a highly publicized recruiting battle to Nick Saban of Alabama.
The Steelers drafted Harris in the first round in 2021 (24th overall). He rushed for 1,200 yards, which remains his career high, on 307 attempts with seven touchdowns. He also caught 74 passes for 467 yards with three touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie after the 2021 season.
In addition to signing Harris, the Chargers also drafted running back Omarion Hampton in the first round from North Carolina. As of Thursday, Hampton was set to become the Chargers’ starting running back. He has played only a handful of snaps in three preseason games, though.
Hampton rushed for 1,500 yards or more plus 15 touchdowns in each of his final two seasons at North Carolina, including 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 games during the 2024 season. He also caught 38 passes for 373 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per reception, and two touchdowns last season.
EXTRA POINTS
Quarterback Trey Lance will start the Chargers’ preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday in Santa Clara and play one or two series, Harbaugh said. Taylor Heinicke will play one or two series. DJ Uiagalelei will then get the bulk of the snaps the rest of the way. Justin Herbert won’t play. …
Wide receiver Quentin Johnston remained in concussion protocol, according to Harbaugh. Johnston was on the field during individual drills but hasn’t participated in team drills since he struck his head on the SoFi Stadium turf on the third play of Saturday’s loss to the Rams. …
Right guard Mekhi Becton continued to make progress after a three-week layoff because of an unspecified injury. He appeared to be a full participant in individual and team drills again Thursday. It’s uncertain whether he will be sound enough to play against the Chiefs in the season opener, though.