Najee Harris Returns to Chargers Training
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris has taken a significant step in his recovery. For the first time in this training camp, Harris participated in drills with the ball, although individually alongside a physical trainer during Tuesday’s practice. According to his agent, Doug Hendrickson, Harris suffered a “superficial eye injury” due to a fireworks accident on July 4th. This injury led him to the injured reserve list before the start of training camp. Hendrickson expressed his confidence that Harris will be ready for the season. The Chargers have maintained the policy of not revealing details about Harris’s injury, a common practice of coach Jim Harbaugh during the preseason and training camp, when teams are not required by the NFL to issue injury reports. The fact that Harris has started running and doing drills with the ball in practice is a positive sign for him and the Chargers. Previously, he had been seen walking with a helmet and weighted vest around the training field since August 2nd. Despite this, Harbaugh has not confirmed Harris’s availability for Week 1. When asked if there’s a chance Harris won’t be ready for the Chargers’ inaugural game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil, Harbaugh replied: “There’s a chance he will be.” An image shared on Snapchat on August 6 showed Harris with his left eye completely closed. However, Harbaugh stated last Friday that Harris can now open his eye. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman commented that, even if Harris is not available for Week 1, rookie running back Omarion Hampton will rotate with another running back. Roman also indicated that the competition for the third spot in the running back position, behind Hampton, is “very open”.Kimani Vidal, Raheim Sanders, Hassan Haskins, and Nyheim Miller-Hines are competing for the third spot. Running back Jaret Patterson, who was on the 53-man roster but spent much of last season on the practice squad, hasn’t practiced since leaving training camp with an undisclosed injury on August 7.There’s no need to make that decision right now. You just have to keep working, keep evaluating, keep trying to improve and see how everything fits when the decision has to be made.
Greg Roman
