Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles Chargers
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Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers stands on the sideline during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Santa Clara, California.
On September 1, Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris spoke with the media ahead of the Week 1 game against the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil.
The Alabama product may play against the reigning AFC West division winners despite suffering an eye injury in a fireworks accident in early July. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Monday that Harris has been cleared for contact.
Harris told reporters he expects to play, citing how he has practiced approximately five times as he ramps backinto football shape.
“I’m ramping up to it,” Harris said of possibly playing against the Chiefs (h/tOC Register). “This is my fifth day of practice. Just trying to get into that football shape. I’m feeling good, and we’ll just see where it leads…
“(Being sidelined is) a humbling experience. I’m still going through it in a way. That whole situation can show you how things can change in the snap of a finger. It’s a blessing every day that we wake up. I’m just happy everybody’s safe and we’re alive.”
Jim Harbaugh Talks Najee Harris Injury
While Harris is doing his best to be football-ready for the opening game against the Chiefs, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh stated that Harris may play in the opener in São Paulo on August 5.
“It’s a possibility,” Harbaugh said (h/tOC Register). “He’s looked really good in practice and cleared for contact, so we’ll just take it one day at a time. Just keep taking it one day at a time. He’s got a really good awareness of what we’re doing in situationsand then physically he’s done very well, as well.”
What’s the Chargers’ Plan Without Najee Harris
On March 10, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, and Tom Pelissero reported that Harris signed with Los Angeles on a one-year contract worth up to $9.25 million in the offseason after beginning his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Los Angeles’ likely plan wasn’t to give the 27-year-old the full running back responsibilities, but have him split it with Omarion Hampton, who was the Chargers’ first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
This duo has the potential to positively impact the Chargers’ run game. Harris rushed for 1,000 yards or more in his four seasons with the Steelers, while Hampton finished with 1,500 yards or more and 15 touchdowns in his last two seasons at North Carolina.
The Chargers hope one of these two players can begin to separate themselves and become the running back used in crucial situations. Moreover, Los Angeles hope one of these players can cross the 1,000-yard rushing mark, which no Chargers player has done since Melvin Gordon during the 2018 season.
Los Angeles also overhauled their running back room with the arrivals of Hampton and Harris. J.K. Dobbins led the Chargers in rushing last season with 905 yards, but the team chose not to bring him back.
Dobbins went on to sign with AFC West rival Denver Broncos. The Chargers also moved on from Gus Edwards, releasing him in March and making him a free agent.It will be interesting to see whether Los Angeles can find a successful running back combination between Harris and Hampton to take the offensive pressure off Justin Herbert’s shoulders.