EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 12: Najee Harris #22 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs a route during the Los Angeles Chargers offseason workouts at The Bolt on May 12, 2025 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris sustained a minor injury in a Fourth of July fireworks mishap.
“Najee Harris was present at a Fourth of July event where a fireworks mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees,” Doug Hendrickson told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network in a statement. “Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident, but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season.”
The 27-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Chargers in March to play a key role in rebuilding the Chargers’ rushing offense. If Harris were to miss any time, the Chargers would have to lean heavily on first-round rookie Omarion Hampton. He ran for 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons, and left the Steelers ranked sixth in rushing yards in franchise history.
It has been eight years since the Chargers had a 1,000-yard rusher, when Melvin Gordon ran for 1,105 yards in 2017.
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Since then, the Chargers have searched but failed to build an effective rushing offense. Even last season, when coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff boasted about the running game they would create in L.A., the team finished below the league average in rushing yards per game (110.7).
In 2024, he ran for 1,043 yards in 17 games, scoring six touchdowns and helped the Steelers make a fourth playoff appearance in five years. He made his only Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021.
This week, Harris finally appeared at training camp, but a face covering sparked greater concern about his condition.
The Chargers are scheduled to open their season on September 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil.
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