The Los Angeles Chargers are inching closer to the regular season, and health remains the key storyline as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil. Most of the roster should be ready, but the status of running back Najee Harris continues to hang over camp.
Harris has spent the entirety of training camp on the non-football injury list after suffering an eye injury on July 4. While the team has remained tight-lipped about the details, his agent, Doug Hendrickson, described it as “superficial.” The Chargers themselves have not confirmed the nature of the injury.
A Different Tune From the Front Office
Is Jim Harbaugh The Real Life Ted Lasso?
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has been consistent in keeping injury updates close to the vest. “When Najee is ready to play, he’ll be ready to play,” Harbaugh said last week. “Right now, to take it past today would be going over the limit.”
That approach has left fans and reporters with little clarity, but general manager Joe Hortiz struck a more optimistic tone during the team’s preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers.
“Najee’s doing great, going through all the medical processes,” Hortiz told reporters. “But he’s on track, and I think he should be able to go, hopefully in Week 1.”
The contrast between Harbaugh’s measured responses and Hortiz’s hopeful outlook has only added to the uncertainty. Still, Hortiz’s public endorsement provides the strongest indication yet that Harris could be available for the season opener.
Quiet Progress Behind the Scenes
Harris returned to light work on Aug. 12, taking part in running drills and working off to the side with an athletic trainer. Onlookers noted he wore a helmet with a visor or dark glasses, obscuring any view of his injured eye.
The only glimpse of the injury came through Harris himself, who posted a photo to Snapchat on Aug. 6 in which his right eye appeared to be shut. Harbaugh later downplayed that, saying Harris “can open his eye,” but otherwise avoided specifics.
The secrecy is hardly surprising given Harbaugh’s history. He has routinely deferred questions about injuries, often reminding reporters he is “not a doctor.” Under league rules, the Chargers are not obligated to provide official updates until the week leading into the opener.
Availability Against Kansas City Still the Goal
The Chargers signed Harris in free agency with the expectation that he could bring stability and power to their rushing attack. In Pittsburgh, he was a model of durability, never missing a game across three seasons. That track record was part of what made him attractive to Los Angeles, though the July 4 incident has now raised the possibility of his first career absence.
For now, the team remains cautiously optimistic. Hortiz’s remarks suggest Harris has a legitimate chance to play against the Chiefs, though the final word will likely come just days before kickoff.
Whether Harris makes it back in time or not, his recovery has already underscored how important his presence is for the Chargers’ offensive plans in 2025.
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