The Los Angeles Chargers have cleared running back Najee Harris for contact and “there’s a possibility” he will be available to play in Week 1 following a July 4 eye injury, coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday.
“He’s looked really good in practice,” Harbaugh said at a press conference. “Cleared for contact. Just take it one day at a time.”
The Chargers open the season Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil. If Harris can’t play, then first-round draft pick Omarion Hampton is expected to tote the majority of carries.
Harris missed the start of training camp and didn’t begin participating in football drills until mid-August. He didn’t play in the preseason, but was activated from the non-football injury list last Tuesday.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers running back suffered what his agent described as a “superficial eye injury” during a July 4 fireworks mishap. The Chargers haven’t disclosed further details about the injury.
Harris topped 1,000 rushing yards in all four of his seasons with the Steelers and has 4,312 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns in 68 NFL games (all starts). The Steelers selected him 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft and Harris made the Pro Bowl and the NFL All-Rookie team after that season.
