AUGUST 23: No decision has been made yet on Harris’ status, but general manager Joe Hortiz said on Saturday (via Popper) Week 1 is still in play in this case. The Chargers will need to move Harrison to the NFI list by Tuesday afternoon unless they feel he will be available within the first four weeks of the season. Based on Hortiz’s comments, a spot on the active roster should now be expected.
AUGUST 16: Chargers running back Najee Harris could start the regular season on the non-football injury list as he continues his recovery from a fireworks-related eye injury, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.
Harris has returned to the practice field, but not practice itself. He made some progress this week, but at too slow a pace to be ready for Week 1. In addition to his physical rehab, he also has to make the mental adjustment to a new offense, which may be harder if his vision is still impaired in any way.
Unless Harris takes significant steps towards a return in the first few weeks of the season, putting him on the NFI list might be the Chargers’ best option. It would open up another roster spot and give Harris a longer runway to get back to 100% before retaking the field.
If Harris is sidelined to start the year, Chargers first-round pick Omarion Hampton could surge into a true bellcow workload. The next two running backs on the depth chart, Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal, combined for just 244 yards on 77 carries in 2024. Both will make the 53-man roster as backfield depth and contributors on special teams, but neither seems to offer enough offensive upside to take snaps away from Hampton.
The Chargers could opt to carry another running back to replace Harris on the roster. Undrafted rookie Raheim Sanders has impressed in the preseason, per Popper, giving him a leg up on comeback veteran Nyheim Miller-Hines and former Commanders UDFA Jaret Patterson.
I’m just here for the fireworks jokes.
Remember, it’s just a minor injury. From a month and a half ago. No biggie.
It’s actually absolutely shocking that Sanders wasn’t drafted, especially after seeing some of the names that went off the board at the position. I would wager that he’s the replacement in-house behind Hampton if Harris can’t go to begin the year. Hampton will probably see the most carries in that event, and Sanders would probably spell or see more inside runs that Harris would have done before, I’d imagine. Sanders is versatile enough to do more than inside runs, but you’d figure that the electric Hampton would be the primary go-to with Sanders as the second.
I think he was hurt a bit by his best college season being two years before his last, but more so I think he was affected by a ludicrously deep running back class. I think he would have been drafted most years.
You’re right about the depth. There were some good backs this year. I didn’t expect Sanders to be a Day One pick, but a guy with his size (they say he weighed in 217, but my very unprofessional eye says that he probably played at 230 or so) and speed (he was clocked at, apparently, 23.95 mph, fastest amongst running backs) and gap vision should have been pretty well in demand. The injury history did hurt him a bit, but I think that he had more to offer than at least a few backs taken ahead of him.
Either way, Sanders has some great traits, even if his first step isn’t elite and he didn’t break off big plays like the top backs did thcc
@ak185. Its starting to sound like Harris is going to get cut. I think they are waiting to see if he can open his eye, but its not a good sign that he’s not doing anything at practice probably just checking on his progress on his eye.
Sanders probably wasn’t going to make the team without the injury, so we would’ve lost our backup runningback for next year. I guess it sucks in certain ways, but I’m glad hortiz doesn’t stop adding players even if it seemed like it was deep because sh*t happens
I don’t see them cutting him. He has a guaranteed contract. NFI is probably best route.
@hawktattoo. They can probably get out of it, because of the firework incident.if he cant open his eye, he’s probably done. Most likely will give him a injury settlement. Its more serious than what they’re saying. His contract was on performance bonuses. Im sure it was easy to meet, but he’s not doing anything not even squats or walking the sidelines. He’s out for the season most likely.
His contract is 5.25 guaranteed..you are right another 4 million in incentives, which he won’t earn if can’t play. There was no injury clause so they would be stuck with the base. If they NFI him they might get some season out of him. But it’s hard to say. It’s sounding more and more like a very serious injury.
@hawktattoo. That’s why I was saying cut. I’m not sure how long they can keep him on the NFI for. If his eyelid cant open up. I think he’s not going to do anything and he’s essentially done. They might just cut their losses.
I thought that Sanders was originally just signed as a camp body, but he’s been more impressive than Haskins or Vidal, and he offers more power than either. He might have beaten them for the bottom of the chart, if he didn’t get sent to the practice squad. After the injury, though, it seems that you’re right. He’s probably the closest to Harris style-wise. Harris may not be cut, but Sanders definitely sounds like he could replace him behind Hampton right now.
You’re right about Hortiz stacking backs. Seems to have been a good decision now. We’ll see what shakes out. I think the most interesting scenario is Harris being available Week One…and L.A. making its decision before then anyway. And what if Harris returns, but is ineffective? Sanders may stick around, after all. We’ll see.
@Ak185. He was probably signed to replace Vidal or compete for a spot. I think haskins was a lock because of the harbaugh connection and he plays on special teams. Vidal has cleaned up his pass protection. So now it makes it tougher. Sanders probably has the higher upside as a #2. Chargers have some tough decisions on the cuts it might make sense to cut haskins and go with reed on special teams or even another position because runningback is easier to replace. I rather have a extra safety or corner
You also have Hines to consider as well for special teams. Harbaugh likes a lot of backs, but the Chargers have quite a few at the moment. Haskins and Vidal are probably in direct competition. Not sure how long Hines lasts there. If Haskins is the pick, I don’t see what role Hines has. You probably could tell me better how you think things shake out. Between Harris/Sanders and Hines/Vidal/Hines (Davis?), the Chargers have a lot of redundancies.
It’s a good problem to have, in terms of insurance (as in the Harris situation), but obviously not everybody is going to make the roster. It’ll interesting to see who does. Judging from your responses, I think you could hazard a better guess than us.
@ak185. Yeah Hines isn’t bad. I just think they could stash him on the practice squad or sign him back if Injuries happen. I prefer Sanders cause he probably has the higher upside, and plus I think a team would take a flier on him.
Last year the chargers kept all the same special teams players. They have some UDFA’S that are looking good hoping they go with upside. Because I’m not sure if special teams really matters with all the rule changes. Plus if it becomes a problem I’m sure they’re free agents you bring in.
Looks like Lance, Nikko reed, I hope Morris-brash does. Heinicke, taylor, and bridges are probably packing their bags. After that i think it’s pretty much set. They might bring in o-line help because the depth is terrible.
Should spend the whole year there he’s trash
Was hoping Rice could stick with the team. Hoping the Bears give him a chance despite a stacked room.