EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris returned to practice Wednesday, and coach Jim Harbaugh said there is a “possibility” Harris will be ready for the team’s Week 1 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil.
Jim Harbaugh said Najee Harris will practice this week and there’s a “possibility” Harris will be ready for Week 1.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) August 27, 2025
Harris spent all of training camp on the non-football injury list after injuring his right eye in a July 4 fireworks accident. He came off NFI on Tuesday when the Chargers made their final cuts. Harris was on the initial 53-man roster.
Harris participated in individual drills Wednesday. He caught passes from quarterback Justin Herbert and also took handoffs during rushing drills. He was wearing a yellow No. 22 jersey. Harbaugh has used those yellow jerseys throughout training camp to identify players working through an injury.
Harbaugh said the Chargers plan to “limit” Harris’ participation initially.
“He’ll work back in,” Harbaugh added.
Najee Harris is back in practice. pic.twitter.com/sSKV7sD79E
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) August 27, 2025
Harris slowly ramped up his workload over the course of training camp. He first appeared back on the field July 24 and watched practice from the sideline. The next week, Harris started doing walking laps around the practice field while wearing his helmet and a weighted vest. On Aug. 12, he graduated to jogging and football drills off to the side with training staff, which he continued for the remainder of camp.
The Chargers are well-positioned to handle any missed games from Harris. They drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round, and he was always on a path to carving out a sizable role on offense — even before Harris’ accident. However, offensive coordinator Greg Roman believes in splitting the backfield workload. The Chargers signed Harris to be a durable, tough, reliable runner, something they were missing last season in their inconsistent running game.
If Harris plays in São Paulo on Friday, Sept. 5, the Chargers will be able to debut their two-pronged attack from the get-go.
(Photo from OTAs in May: Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)