The Los Angeles Chargers thought they had finally solved their running back problem. After signing former Pittsburgh Steelers workhorse Najee Harris, the team was poised to lean on his trademark durability. But a bizarre off-field accident changed everything, leaving the team and quarterback Justin Herbert asking one critical question: When will their new star actually take the field?
What Is the Latest on Najee Harris’s Injury and Return Timeline?
Harris arrived in Los Angeles with a reputation for durability and production, having topped 1,000 rushing yards in his four NFL seasons. His physical style and pass-catching ability were expected to perfectly complement head coach Jim Harbaugh’s power-run philosophy and give the Chargers a reliable option in the backfield.
However, that plan hit a major snag before it could even begin. Harris has yet to participate in team drills this summer, as the veteran remains sidelined after suffering a superficial eye injury in a July 4, 2025, fireworks accident. The incident landed Harris on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) List ahead of training camp, making his availability for Week 1 uncertain.
When asked about the situation, Harbaugh provided little clarity on Harris’s status, opting for an optimistic but ambiguous approach.
“When Najee’s ready to play, Najee is going to be ready to play,” Harbaugh told reporters on Friday. “Right now, to take it past today would be going over the legal limit. That would take you over the legal limit of what-ifs. You just take it one day at a time.”
Harbaugh added, “I see Najee every day, I talk to Najee every day [and ask],’ How you feeling?’ He says, ‘Better.’ My question is, ‘Better than yesterday?’ He said, ‘Yes,’ each day that I’ve asked him that.”
Read More: Should I Draft Najee Harris? Fantasy Outlook for the Chargers RB in 2025
“That is real encouraging. It just gives you hope that tomorrow will be better than today,” Harbaugh explained. “Improvement leads to success theory at work, so simple that it just might work. Improvement will lead to success, that’s the theory.”
Najee Harris has been available & reliable in his career. He’s never missed a game in his career and has the most touches of anyone since being drafted in 2021. pic.twitter.com/p2wQrnQFBH
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) August 13, 2025
While Harbaugh remains noncommittal, there are positive signs. Although Harris has not yet joined full-team drills, he has started increasing his activity on the side. He has been seen jogging in a weighted vest, pushing sleds, and working through agility drills with trainers. NFL Network’s Bridget Condon reported Harris was “running faster than we’ve seen him run at all this training camp.”
August 24 Update: Despite having not practiced at all, Adam Schefter reported Harris could suit up for the Chargers’ regular season opener.
Chargers GM Joe Hortiz said RB Najee Harris is feeling “great” and could play in their regular-season opener vs. the Chiefs, via @krisrhim1:https://t.co/cG4iimOoNd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 24, 2025
This is an encouraging sign. It’s great to see Harris doing well. However, we must remember that Harris is new to this team and hasn’t gotten in any practice while he recovers. It’s easier for running backs to just walk in cold than other positions, but he could end up splitting backup duties with Kimani Vidal behind Omarion Hampton.
Despite this progress, the Chargers are preparing contingency plans. Rookie Hampton, a first-round pick out of North Carolina, is expected to handle lead duties if Harris is unavailable. Behind him, Hassan Haskins, Raheim Sanders, and Kimani Vidal are competing for depth roles, with Vidal emerging as the presumed frontrunner for RB2 duties.
The clock is ticking on a final decision. If Harris remains on the NFI List when rosters are finalized Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, he will be required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. This scenario would include sitting out the team’s international opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 5, 2025, in São Paulo, Brazil.
