Ex-Steelers RB Najee Harris Gets Positive Injury Update for Chargers
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris could play in Week 1 for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris didn’t experience the best preseason for his new team, the Los Angeles Chargers. Harris didn’t play in the exhibition campaign and hasn’t practice with the team since suffering an eye injury during a July 4 fireworks accident.
The Chargers placed Harris on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list before the start of training camp.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh hasn’t provided much of a return timetable with Harris. But during the team’s preseason finale Saturday night, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said the running back could play in the season opener.
“Najee’s doing great, going through all the medical processes,” Hortiz said to the team broadcasters, via ESPN’s Kris Rhim. “But he’s on track, and I think he should be able to go, hopefully, Week 1.”
The Chargers will face the Kansas City Chiefs during Week 1 on Friday, September 5. Kickoff will take place at Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, Brazil.
Chargers.com’s Eric Smith reported Saturday that Harris “has recently ramped up his workload by going through drills and workouts off to the side of practice with a trainer.”
To return Week 1, the Chargers have to activate the running back from the NFI list before the league’s roster cutdown deadline at 4 pm ET on Tuesday.
If Harris remains on the list after that deadline, he will be required to miss the first four games.
Chargers Jim Harbaugh Not as Specific About Najee Harris Return
Hortiz’s answer on Harris’ return during the third quarter of Saturday’s preseason game was the most positive update the Chargers have provided on the veteran running back. Harbaugh has repeatedly given vague responses on when Harris could be back for the team.
The head coach did that again Friday.
“When Najee’s ready to play, Najee is going to be ready to play,” Harbaugh said. “Right now, to take it past today would be going over the legal limit. That would take you over the legal limit of what-ifs. You just take it one day at a time.”
Overall, though, Harbaugh has portrayed Harris’ recovery as positive.
“I see Najee every day, I talk to Najee every day [and ask],’ How you feeling?’ He says, ‘Better.’ My question is, ‘Better than yesterday?’ He said, ‘Yes,’ each day that I’ve asked him that.
“That is real encouraging. It just gives you hope that tomorrow will be better than today.”
Harris suffered his eye injury during a July 4 fireworks incident. The running back’s agent, Doug Hendrickson, called it a “superficial” eye injury.
Mystery Surrounding Harris’ Eye Injury
While Hortiz’s update on Harris was very positive, the question is whether it’s realistic. At least that’s the question social media users appeared to be asking after the general manager’s comments Saturday night.
The likely reason behind fans doubting whether Harris could actually be ready for Week 1 is the team’s secrecy with the injury since it happened.
Other than a brief picture on social media, the media and public have not seen Harris and his eye since the injury occurred.
“Harris appears on the field with a helmet and visor or dark glasses making his eyes invisible to onlookers,” wrote Rhim.
“The only image of his eye is a picture posted to his Snapchat account on Aug. 6, where Harris’ right eye appears to be closed shut. Harbaugh, however, has said Harris can open his eye.”
But with an incredible durability reputation, there’s little doubt Harris will play if he can. The running back never missed a game in four seasons with the Steelers.
He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in all four of his campaigns in Pittsburgh. Last season, Harris had 1,043 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He also had 36 catches and 283 receiving yards.
