Report: Chargers elevate RB Najee Harris (eye) from non-football injury list

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The Los Angeles Chargers activated running back Najee Harris from the non-football injury list on Tuesday, making him part of the team’s 53-man roster.

Harris missed the start of training camp as he recovered from an offseason eye injury. He was limited to conditioning work before increasing his participation in football drills, starting Aug. 12. He did not play in the preseason.

Harris, 27, has been on the non-football injury list since the start of camp after sustaining what his agent, Doug Hendrickson, described as a “superficial eye injury” during a July 4 fireworks mishap. The Chargers have not disclosed details of the injury, in line with head coach Jim Harbaugh’s practice of withholding specifics during the preseason.

The Chargers open the season Sept. 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

If Harris had remained on the NFI list when rosters were finalized Tuesday, he would have been forced to miss the first four games.

Harris signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Chargers in the offseason, which could be worth up to an additional $4 million if he meets all incentives for rushing yardage. Harris and first-round draft pick Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) are expected to be the team’s primary ball carriers.

Harris topped 1,000 rushing yards in all four of his seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has 4,312 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns in 68 NFL games (all starts). The Steelers selected him 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, and Harris made the Pro Bowl and the NFL All-Rookie team that season. He became a free agent after the 2024 season.

–Field Level Media