Najee Harris Returns to Training with the Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris has taken a significant step in his recovery by participating in ball drills for the first time this training camp. Harris, who was injured in a fireworks accident on July 4th, joined a trainer during Tuesday’s practice. Harris’ agent, Doug Hendrickson, revealed that the injury was “superficial” and that he expected the player to be ready for the start of the season. The Chargers, for their part, have not made public detailed information about the injury, following the usual practice of coach Jim Harbaugh in the preseason and training camp, where teams are not required to submit injury reports. Harris’s reincorporation to ball exercises is a positive sign for the player and the team. Previously, Harris had been walking around the training field with a helmet and a weighted vest since August 2. Despite this progress, Harbaugh has not confirmed Harris’s availability for Week 1. When asked about the possibility of Harris not being ready for the opening game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil, Harbaugh responded: “There’s a possibility he will be.” An image posted on Snapchat by Harris on August 6 showed his left eye completely closed. However, Harbaugh reported last Friday that Harris can now open his eye. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman commented that, in case Harris cannot play in Week 1, rookie running back Omarion Hampton will rotate with another running back. Roman also indicated that the competition for the third running back position, behind Hampton, is “very open”.Kimani Vidal, Raheim Sanders, Hassan Haskins, and Nyheim Miller-Hines are competing for the third running back spot. Jaret Patterson, who made the 53-man roster but spent much of last season on the practice squad, hasn’t practiced since leaving training camp on August 7 due to an unspecified injury.“We don’t have to make that decision right now. Just keep working, keep evaluating, keep trying to improve, see how everything fits when the decision has to be made.”
Greg Roman
