Najee Harris Injury Update
Najee Harris is working his way back from a “superficial eye injury” but is expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season with the Los Angeles Chargers. If you’re a fan hoping to see him in Week 1, the mood around camp hovers somewhere between optimistic and “let’s see what the doctors say.” During Tuesday’s practice, Adam Schefter noted on Twitter, Chargers running back Najee Harris ran and took part in football drills for the first time this training camp, working off to the side with an athletic trainer.
He started participating in drills on August 12, jogging and doing some side work with trainers finally, some visible progress after what felt like a summer of vague and frustrating updates. Coach Harbaugh remains typically cagey, refusing to officially guarantee Najee’s early-season return, but the general vibe is hopeful.
I have to admit, it’s a little nerve-wracking to see vital updates come through in coach-speak (“He can open his eye”), but hey, at least nobody’s ruling him out. The team’s prepping first-round rookie Omarion Hampton just in case, so backfield drama could be high early in the year. Harris’s effort, and even with an eye swollen shut at times, his presence around practice gives a pretty heartening, if slightly gritty, vibe.
Sebastian Fearon DPT, CSCS, OCS shared on Twitter that Chargers running back Najee Harris made a notable step in his recovery, as he was spotted running and cutting off to the side during today’s practice.
When Did the Eye Injury Happen?
Najee Harris was injured on the Fourth of July, yes, America’s birthday, July 4, 2025. It was late at night, in his hometown of Antioch, California, during what should’ve been a happy, sparkly celebration with friends and neighbors. Instead, a fireworks mishap sliced through the fun, sending Najee and several others to the hospital.
I grew up with backyard fireworks and can vouch that all it takes is one bad Roman candle for a joyful night to flip into chaos. There’s something especially jarring about it happening to a pro athlete. One minute you’re enjoying barbecue and lit skies, the next, you’re figuring out how to keep your starting RB off the Non-Football Injury list. Not exactly a highlight-reel moment.
How Did Harris Get Injured?
Harris got hurt in a fireworks accident. Specifically, a high-powered firework exploded unexpectedly, causing what doctors described as a “superficial eye injury” for Harris. It could have been much, much worse—not just for him, but for others at the scene, with at least six people injured, including one man who lost multiple fingers.
It’s the kind of thing you hear about every July but never think will impact your fantasy running back. Sometimes, life is just random. Najee reportedly was treated at John Muir Hospital in Concord before a transfer to Stanford as a precaution, which just goes to show how seriously eye injuries are handled, even “minor” ones.
There’s a sort of gallows humor among some fans now: “Add fireworks safety lectures to the Chargers’ training camp agenda.” But in all seriousness, this was scary stuff, and Najee’s quick return to light drills is both surprising and pretty inspiring. Even NFL stars aren’t immune to holiday hazards. Here’s hoping he sticks the comeback and keeps all future celebrations strictly confetti-based.
