Najee Harris Returns to Drills After Mysterious Eye Injury—What’s Next for His Season?

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AdvertisementBehind Harris, who joined the team on a one-year, .5 million deal this offseason, are first-round rookie Omarion Hampton and backups Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins and Nyheim Miller-Hines. Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Tuesday a rotation was inevitable:Advertisement

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In addition to Harris, the Chargers are now facing uncertainty, with projected starting right guard Mekhi Becton, who joined them on a two-year, million deal in March. Roman said Becton was “working through something” and said “he’ll be fine,” but also admitted he was “not putting anything in concrete” about his Week 1 availability.

The former Pro Bowler was seen running drills with a football on Tuesday for the first time in training camp, according to ESPN’s Kris Rhim. He reportedly did so off to the side with a trainer.Advertisement

Harbaugh also admitted there was a chance Harris isn’t ready for Week 1.

Najee Harris took some promising strides back on the field this week, spotted running drills with the football in hand—his first such sighting during this training camp. It’s hard not to feel a mix of hope and caution here; the guy’s been sidelined since that unsettling Fourth of July fireworks accident that left him nursing what was called a “superficial” eye injury. His camp has been notably tight-lipped, and while his agent’s confident Najee will suit up for the regular season’s kickoff, the Chargers haven’t been ready to put any firm return date on the table. Head coach Jim Harbaugh’s comments about Harris actually being able to open his eye—a clarification that should come without question in any other context—only underline the lingering uncertainty. Adding to the complexity, the Chargers are gearing up for a committee approach at running back, pivoting from last year’s lineup. And with a key offensive lineman’s status also up in the air, the narrative around the Chargers’ backfield and offensive line is anything but settled as the season looms. It’s a situation that demands close watching—and a fair bit of patience. LEARN MORE