I
t is finally time for some regular season football. Rosters have been trimmed and a long and grueling preseason is over for all 32 NFL teams and now, the real fun begins. In just one week, prep for Week One will commence, as teams begin their quest for a successful 2025 campaign. For the Los Angeles Chargers, building off of an 11-6 season from a year ago is the top priority.
This offseason, the franchise invested a lot in acquiring new talent. From the draft to free agency, the Chargers made sure to add pieces that can make them Super Bowl contenders. And one of those new acquisitions, free agent running back Najee Harris, could be available sooner than originally thought– with a Week One return a very strong possibility.
Harris’ Return
Suffering an eye injury during a Fourth of July incident, Harris has missed all of camp and the preseason while recovering. At one point, it was unclear as to whether or not Harris would come off the PUP in time for the start of the regular season. But according to Chargers’ general manager, Joe Hortiz, Harris’ recovery is going really well and he may be ready for Week One after all.
“Najee’s doing great, going through all the medical processes,” Hortiz said on an appearance on CBS during the Chargers’ final preseason game. “But he’s on track, and I think he should be able to go, hopefully in Week 1.”
Hortiz’s comments are surprising considering what everyone else within the organization has said about Harris’ recovery. Head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media on Aug. 21 leading up to the final preseason game and did not have any new updates on Harris.
“When Najee’s ready to play, he’ll be ready to play,” Harbaugh said. “Right now, to take it past today would be going over the legal limit.”
Chargers Running Back Outlook
Harris’ return will provide a major boost to the Chargers’ offense, but if he is unable to return in time for Week One, it would not be catastrophic. Drafting former North Carolina standout Omarion Hampton with the 22nd overall pick in this year’s draft, the Chargers expect Hampton to play a big role right out of the gate– with some even believing that he will be the main back in Los Angeles by the time the season is over.
But while the Chargers have not described the extent of Harris’ injury, his agent said after the July 4th incident that Harris’ eye injury was ‘superficial.’ If that is the case, then the Chargers could expect Harris back very soon and create a plan of attack that incorporates both of their running backs so that they can form a two-headed monster in the backfield.
The Chargers begin their season against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, Sept. 5 in São Paulo, Brazil. Kickoff for the game is at 5 p.m. (PT) and will be streamed on YouTube or available to watch on Hulu Live TV.
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