The Los Angeles Chargers are hoping to continue the preferred game plan of head coach Jim Harbaugh with an emphasis on the run game. Their offseason additions, both in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft, made that fact abundantly clear. The biggest fish was Najee Harris, who joined the Chargers after a four-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However, Harris has been a question mark over the last few months. Now, with the regular season opener knocking at their doorsteps, Los Angeles needs to have a clear idea about their star running back’s status for the Week 1 clash against the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil. Is Harris going to be ready by the time Friday Night rolls around?
What Happened to Najee Harris?
An unfortunate non-football-related eye injury threatened to ruin Harris’ near-perfect streak in the NFL. Since joining Pittsburgh as a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Harris hasn’t missed a single game in his first four seasons.
Logging in 17 starts in all four years, he was a model of consistency, crossing the 1,000-rushing-yard mark every year with one Pro Bowl selection to his credit. However, that run came into jeopardy almost immediately after arriving in LA.
An eye injury suffered during fireworks during a Fourth of July celebration became a major concern as time progressed. His time on the field, both during practice and training camp, took a significant downturn.
Moreover, he did not play a single snap in any of the Chargers’ four preseason games, including the Hall of Fame game against the Detroit Lions. As a result, there are genuine question marks about his status against the Chiefs.
Will Harris Play Against the Chiefs?
The progress for Harris to get back to the field has been slow but steadily trending in the right direction. After missing all training camp practices, he first made it back onto the field during Week 0 in non-contact jerseys.
However, soon after, Harbaugh declared, “He’s looked really good in practice and cleared for contact. So, just take it one day at a time.” As a result, the possibility of suiting up in Brazil started to seem real.
His status, as of Tuesday, though, has given fans some insight into what to expect. On the Chargers’ injury report, Harris was listed as a full participant in practice, signalling his availability for Week 1 of the regular season.
Najee Harris said he is expects to play against the Chiefs on Friday in Brazil: “I’m ramping up to it.” Did not want to get into any details on what happened in the fireworks accident. Said his vision has not been affected and called the eye injury “superficial.” pic.twitter.com/T7xoqDVodX
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) September 1, 2025
In his place, rookie selection Omarion Hampton has held down the fort during the preseason. But the experience and proven track record might help Harris get the edge to kick off the season, particularly against a divisional rival in Kansas City.
Hampton will be the Chargers’ RB1 ahead of Harris in Week 1 against the Chiefs. However, that could change based on how both of them perform.
Chiefs-Chargers Week 1 Preview and Prediction
The division rivalry between the Chiefs and Chargers should be a treat for the São Paulo audience, as the teams have routinely produced competitive games in recent years.
For both teams, it starts at quarterback. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes remains one of the league’s best, having already won three Super Bowls before turning 30.
Meanwhile, Justin Herbert has the stats to rank among the game’s top passers but has yet to win a playoff game in his five-year career. He’ll be looking to change that narrative this season, starting with a statement against the Chiefs.
Kansas City’s passing attack will look similar to last season, with wideouts Xavier Worthy and JuJu Smith-Schuster complementing All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. Their top receiver, Rashee Rice, is out against the Chargers while serving a suspension.
Los Angeles’ receiving corps isn’t much better, though second-year receiver Ladd McConkey is back after an impressive rookie season in which he caught 82 passes for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. He’ll be Herbert’s No. 1 target.
The Chiefs have won 9⃣ straight AFC West titles. 🏆
Could either the Broncos or the Chargers knock them off the top spot? 👀 pic.twitter.com/2F40Mbtp3L
— PFSN (@PFSN365) September 3, 2025
Per our metrics, the Chargers will have an upper hand defensively. Coordinator Jesse Minter leads a unit that flies to the ball, anchored by pass rusher Khalil Mack and safety Derwin James.
The Chiefs’ defense graded out at a C last season but will look to improve behind defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback Trent McDuffie. Both are among the best at their positions, but need help from a young, unproven supporting cast.
As for the outcome, the Chiefs simply have the Chargers’ number. Los Angeles usually puts up a fight but falls short in the end. That shouldn’t change, even in Week 1 on South American soil.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Chargers 20
