Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was noncommittal when asked on Friday about Najee Harris‘ return timeline.
The fifth-year running back is recovering from an eye injury suffered in a Fourth of July fireworks mishap. He started training camp on the non-football injury list and has yet to take the practice field this summer.
Harbaugh said (via ESPN’s Kris Rhim) that “there’s a chance” Harris is ready for the team’s regular season opener against the Chiefs.
“I don’t comment because I’m not a doctor,” said Harbaugh, something he frequently says when asked about injuries, per Rhim. Harris and the Chargers have played his injury close to the chest, in large part because it happened away from the football field. The damage to Harris’ eye was initially called “superficial” by his agent with the expectation that he would be ready for the regular season.
However, the fifth-year running back stirred additional concern posted a picture on social media earlier this week in which his left eye appears to be swollen shut. Harbaugh said that Harris can open his eye, but obviously, two fully-functioning eyes are crucial for a ballcarrier’s field vision.
As long as Harris is out, first-round pick Omarion Hampton will likely take on a bigger and bigger role in the offense. The Chargers also have a number of running backs who could receive more touches early in the regular season if Harris is still getting back to 100%.