The Los Angeles Chargers are activating running back Najee Harris from the non-football injury list, the NFL Network reported on Tuesday.
Harris missed the start of training camp as he recovers 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 Brazil.
If Harris remained on the NFI list when rosters are finalized, he would be forced to miss the first four games. Coming off the list and practicing starts a three-week window to make the active roster. If he’s not moved to the roster, he has to stay on the NFI list for the rest of the season.
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.
