Chargers: Najee Harris, with eye injury, could start camp on NFI

Najee Harris Could Start Training Camp on the Injured List

Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris, who suffered an eye injury during a fireworks accident on July 4, will likely begin training camp on the non-football illness (NFI) injured list, general manager Joe Hortiz announced Wednesday. Hortiz indicated that, in case Harris is included in the NFI list, he does not expect his absence to be prolonged.

Nothing is set in stone.

Joe Hortiz, General Manager

If Harris is placed on the NFI list, he will be able to return to training once the team authorizes it. However, if for any reason he remains on the NFI list after the roster cuts, he will have to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. In the July 4th incident, several people were injured and a friend of Harris lost fingers. Harris’ agent, Doug Hendrickson, stated that his client’s injury was “superficial” and that Harris is expected to be ready for the next NFL season. Hortiz has spoken with Harris, but neither he nor the Chargers’ medical staff have yet assessed the severity of his injury. While the veterans reported to training camp on Wednesday, Harris was in the Bay Area, consulting with doctors at Stanford, with whom he has been working for the past two weeks. Hortiz mentioned that the Chargers’ director of player health and performance, Marco Zucconi, is in regular contact with Harris’ doctors in the Bay Area after each appointment, and that “everything they have conveyed to us has been positive.” Hortiz added that Harris would report to camp on Wednesday night and that the Chargers would determine his status. The Chargers begin training camp practice on Thursday. Superficial injury. Obviously around the eye, so I’m sure there’s bruising and all that. We haven’t seen it, so we’ll have more clarity when he gets here and our doctors see him. Hortiz grouped Harris with wide receiver Mike Williams, who is on the injured reserve list, indicating that he expects both players to return relatively soon. Williams, whom the Chargers signed in the offseason to be a deep threat in the passing offense, suffered an injury in the spring that Hortiz did not disclose, but assured that the Chargers are not worried. Similarly, safety Elijah Molden, who is on the PUP list while recovering from offseason surgery, is expected to return to practice relatively early in camp.