The Los Angeles Chargers have made a dramatic change to their playstyle this season. After going for the Jim Harbaugh-inspired run-heavy offense last year, they are putting the ball more consistently in Justin Herbert’s hands. However, that hasn’t taken away from the talent the team has in the ground game, especially after drafting Omarion Hampton and signing Najee Harris in the offseason.
Despite those additions, the running back room has been ravaged by injuries in the early part of the year. After Harris entered the season with a non-football eye injury, he once again went down in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. Immediately taken off the field, he was declared out for the game. However, as the Chargers get ready to face the New York Giants in Week 4, fans are wondering if the veteran running back will be on the field.
Will Najee Harris Play Against the Giants?
The simple answer is no. After starting off the season battling an eye injury, Harris was less than his ideal self through three weeks. Tallying 61 yards on 15 carries, he was clearly playing second fiddle to Hampton.
Unfortunately, Harris’ problems became far more severe than a slow start in Week 3. During the second quarter, he tried to take off from the backfield. But his leg immediately buckled, and he fell to the ground.
The initial diagnosis was an Achilles injury, but the severity was unknown. At the time, Harbaugh believed further testing would reveal a clearer picture of the severity of the injury. Unfortunately, it wasn’t good news for Harris or Los Angeles.
As Harbaugh later confirmed, the former Pittsburgh Steelers star had suffered a torn Achilles, and he would miss the remainder of the 2025 season. It’s the second massive injury the team has suffered after All-Pro tackle Rashawn Slater went down before the season even got underway.
The Harris injury could be a massive blow for a team that has been firing on all cylinders with a 3-0 start and wins over every other team in the AFC West. So far this year, he hasn’t been featured heavily in he offense.
However, the injury takes away the luxury the Chargers had with an established runner with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. After averaging under 30 throws a game last season, Herbert is at 36 attempts this year.
With the Harris injury, it seems like an obvious conclusion that the team will further lean into their superstar quarterback’s arm talent.
