Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris went down in a heap back in the Chargers’ backfield during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Harris has been considered a key part of the Chargers’ offense, but he is now out for the rest of the game.
What Happened to Najee Harris?
With Harris behind Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Harris started running forward and immediately went down.
Onlookers are saying that Harris tore his Achilles tendon on the non-contact play. After the game, it was confirmed that the running back had indeed suffered an Achilles injury.
“Jim Harbaugh said preliminary tests indicated a torn Achilles for RB Najee Harris,” wrote Chargers insider Daniel Popper on X.
Najee Harris just tore his Achilles. pic.twitter.com/68BP1UvjhJ
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 21, 2025
Chargers medical personnel immediately came onto the field and helped him off as Harris could not put any weight on his left leg. Eventually, Harris was carted back to the Los Angeles locker room, and it looks like his day, and potentially his season, is over.
In five NFL seasons, with his first four with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Harris has 1,106 carries for 4,345 yards and 28 touchdowns. He’s averaged 3.9 yards per carry in his career, too. It’s not clear how long Harris will be out of action since the injury occurred during the Chargers game.
Any word on Harris’ future will probably come out after Sunday’s game. It’s just not a good look for a Chargers team that needs as much help running the ball as possible. The Chargers led the Broncos 10-0 late in the second quarter.
Harris was working his way back into a more significant role, especially with Omarion Hampton struggling. This sure looks like a season-ender, which would force the Chargers to lean more on the rookie.
Chargers Now Look to Omarion Hampton
We already know Greg Roman wants to use multiple backs, so someone else will have to step up. Kimani Vidal will likely serve as the RB2 and is worth a speculative add in fantasy leagues as the presumptive handcuff to Hampton.
This is the play where Najee got hurt…💔 pic.twitter.com/puJRTTvItj
— JPA (@jasrifootball) September 21, 2025
It is also possible that the Chargers continue to be more pass-heavy than expected, with Herbert playing exceptionally well and the team possessing three quality receivers.
LAC entered the week ranked 30th in yards created before contact to their RBs. Hampton will assume more work, but this could further amplify a Chargers passing attack featured in Jim Harbaugh’s second season at the controls.
Harris had been a beacon of stability, never missing a game in his four seasons with the Steelers. While he peaked as a rookie statistically, he still ranked as a starting-level RB from 2022-24, finishing between 22nd and 26th in our RB Impact rankings every season.
Now the burden will fall heavily on Hampton, whose 69.0 (D+) grade ranked 27th out of 30 qualifying running backs through Week 2.
