The Chargers placed Harris (Achilles) on IR on Wednesday.
Coach John Harbaugh confirmed Monday that Harris suffered a torn Achilles during this past Sunday's win over the Broncos, and the running back will miss the remainder of the season as a result. In his absence going forward, Omarion Hampton is in line to lead the Chargers backfield, with Hassan Haskins in reserve and Kimani Vidal as well as Amar Johnson representing possible additions via the team's practice squad.
Harris (Achilles) is expected to miss the rest of the season due to an injury sustained during Sunday's win over the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Coach John Harbaugh said after the game that the veteran running back would undergo imaging to confirm the severity of the injury, which is feared to be a torn Achilles. With Harris sidelined, rookie first-round pick Omarion Hampton has an unblocked path to a workhorse role in the Chargers' backfield while Hassan Haskins projects to step into the No. 2 role, with 2024 sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal likely to be elevated from the practice squad for additional depth.
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Chargers' Najee Harris: Hurts ankle Sunday
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Harris was carted off the field during Sunday's game against the Broncos, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, after sustaining an ankle injury.
Prior to that, Harris carried six times for 28 yards. In his absence, Omarion Hampton and Hassan Haskins are available to handle the Chargers' Week 3 backfield duties.
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Chargers' Najee Harris: Big jump in usage in Week 2
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Harris carried eight times for 28 yards and added two receptions for 20 yards on two targets in Monday's 20-9 win over the Raiders.
After getting in limited practice reps in training camp and the preseason while recovering from a superficial eye injury, Harris took on a light role in Week 1, playing just 18 percent of the offensive snaps and logging two touches (one carry, one catch). However, the veteran poached more work from rookie first-round pick Omarion Hampton in Monday's victory. While Hampton continued to pace the Chargers backfield in playing time with a 62 percent snap share, he mustered just 24 yards on eight carries and had one catch for one yard while also committing a late fumble as the Bolts tried to ice the game. Harris wasn't much more efficient, but he still nearly doubled up his snap share from the season opener, taking the field for 20 plays (34 percent). Hampton will likely continue to lead the backfield during Sunday's game against Denver, but Harris could see his snap share tick up a little more.
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Chargers' Najee Harris: Used sparingly Week 1
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Harris rushed once for five yards and secured his only target for another five yards during Friday's 27-21 victory over Kansas City.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh said in advance of Friday's opener that Harris would play but that Omarion Hampton would draw the start, and the rookie ultimately handled a workhorse role. Hampton totaled 17 touches against the Chiefs' firm defensive front, rushing 15 times for 48 yards and securing both of his targets for 13 yards. Harris' backfield role could grow as he puts further distance between himself and the minor eye injury that forced him to sit out all of training camp and the preseason, but Hampton looks solidified as the starter in Los Angeles' backfield and projects to dominate touches again in Week 2 on the road against Las Vegas.
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Chargers' Najee Harris: Turns in full practice
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Harris (eye) was listed as a full practice participant Tuesday.
After suffering what was labeled as a superficial eye injury in a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July, Harris took part in minimal drills and didn't play in any games during the preseason, but he's ramped up his on-field work over the past several days. The veteran running back was recently cleared to take full contact, and after logging every rep during the Chargers' first official practice session of the regular season, he's now on track to suit up in Friday's opener against the Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Despite being in the clear to play Week 1, Harris could be in line for a limited role, given the extensive time he missed this summer in addition to the presence of first-round pick Omarion Hampton in the backfield. The weekly breakdown of snaps and touches between Hampton and Harris may not become clear until after a few games, when Harris will be further removed from the eye injury and better conditioned.
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Chargers' Najee Harris: Doing more, but still no practice
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Harris (eye) has ramped up his workload of late, with Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh recently saying that the running back feels better with each passing day, Eric Smith of chargers.com reports.
Harris remains on the non-football injury list, limited to individual/rehab work and still not ready to practice with teammates. That's an obvious concern for his Week 1 availability with the start of the season less than three weeks away, but it does at least seem like the Chargers expect him to contribute at some point this season. Harris suffered a fireworks accident earlier this summer, keeping him out for all of training camp and leaving rookie Omarion Hampton without serious competition for first-team work this summer. Harris will be ineligible for Weeks 1-4 if the Chargers don't activate him from the NFI list by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
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Chargers' Najee Harris: Makes limited progress
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Harris (eye) was in a helmet and a weighted vest while walking around the practice field Saturday,Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Harris has been spotted on the field in just shorts and a t-shirt prior to Saturday as he recovers from an eye injury. His unconventional participation Saturday doesn't signal that he's particularly close to a return from the active/non-football injury list, but it still marks progress in his recovery.
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Chargers' Najee Harris: No timetable for return
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As Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Lions approaches, coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged that there is still no timetable for the return of Harris (eye) to practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Harris, who sustained an eye injury as the result of a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July, has been on the active/non-football injury list since July 17, though the running back has been spotted on the field during practice in shorts and a t-shirt. Until he's ready to return to drills, 2025 first-rounder Omarion Hampton should continue to see added first-team reps. Once Harris is cleared to practice, he'll be able to make his case for a key backfield role alongside his highly touted rookie counterpart.
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Chargers' Najee Harris: Officially placed on NFI list
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Harris (eye) was placed on the active/non-football injury list by the Chargers on Thursday.
Per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, Harris, who sustained an eye injury as the result of a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July, isn't expected to remain on the list long, according to Chargers GM Joe Hortiz. Once the running back is ready to return to the field, he'll be able to resume practicing, but until then 2025 first-rounder Omarion Hampton figures to see added first-team reps, with Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson and Raheim Sanders also currently in the team's backfield mix.
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Chargers' Najee Harris: Bound for active/NFI list
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GM Joe Hortiz said Wednesday that Harris likely will begin training camp on the active/non-football injury list as doctors continue to monitor the eye injury that he suffered during a fireworks incident at a Fourth of July event, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Harris remains in the Bay Area as of Wednesday afternoon but is expected to report to The Bolt in El Segundo, Calif. later in the day. Hortiz noted the Chargers have yet to ascertain the extent of Harris' injury, but his agent has called it a "superficial" one, per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times. Once Harris joins his teammates, L.A. is expected to make the aforementioned transaction, but he'll be able to practice as soon as he passes a physical. How Harris and rookie first-round pick Omarion Hampton fare in training camp and the preseason should determine the breakdown of RB touches between the duo at the start of the regular season.
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Chargers' Najee Harris: Should practice soon
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Harris (eye) isn't expected to miss much time at the start of training camp, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The running back isn't expected to miss any games after suffering an eye injury during a fireworks incident at a Fourth of July event. Harris' agent Doug Hendrickson said last week that the injury is "superficial" and won't prevent the running back from being ready for the start of the season. Assuming the reports are accurate and his vision isn't impacted, Harris likely will open the season sharing snaps/touches with Omarion Hampton, the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 Draft. The nature of that split is anyone's guess, with Harris profiling as a jack-of-all-trades while Hampton is likely the more explosive pure runner.
A statement from Harris' agent Doug Hendrickson on Thursday noted that the running back sustained a superficial eye injury stemming from what was described as a "fireworks mishap" during a Fourth of July event, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Per the statement, Harris, who signed with the Chargers in March, "is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season." It remains to be seen if the issue will affect Harris' participation in the team's upcoming training camp practices, but when available, the 2021 first-rounder is slated to handle a key role in a Los Angeles backfield that also includes Omarion Hampton, the No. 22 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Steelers' Najee Harris: Picks up 58 yards in playoff loss
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Harris rushed the ball six times for 17 yards in Saturday's 28-14 loss to the Ravens. He added three receptions on three targets for 41 yards.
Harris led the Pittsburgh backfield in every statistic, though it's difficult to have many takeaways from this game, as the Steelers were down multiple scores for over half of the game. In part due to game script, he was unable to get going on the ground, but he showed some ability as a pass catcher -- highlighted by a 21-yard catch and run late in the third quarter. Harris is now set to enter free agency for the first time in his career, and his market will be intriguing to watch. He has lacked explosive playmaking ability for most of his career, though he's topped 250 carries in each of his four pro seasons and has proven the ability to lead a backfield.
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Steelers' Najee Harris: Being evaluated for concussion
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Harris exited Saturday night's game against the Bengals with a head injury and is being evaluated for a concussion, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Harris exited midway through the fourth quarter and went to the blue medical tent on the sideline to be checked for a possible concussion. He later had his helmet removed and was taken to the locker room for further evaluation. Prior to leaving, Harris rushed 12 times for 36 yards and one touchdown. He added three catches for 22 yards on four targets. Jaylen Warren has taken over lead-back duties with Harris in the locker room.
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Steelers' Najee Harris: RBs to Sit
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If you have to use a Steelers running back in Week 17 then I would lean toward Jaylen Warren over Harris. Warren has played more snaps than Harris in each of the past three games, and Warren will likely be more involved in the passing game as usual if the Steelers are chasing points. Harris has one catch for 7 yards on two targets in his past three games, and he scored a combined 7.3 PPR points in his past two outings against the Eagles and Ravens. The Chiefs are No. 1 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Harris is a risky flex option in this matchup on Christmas Day.
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Steelers' Najee Harris: RBs to Sit
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Harris had a disappointing game in Week 15 at Philadelphia with six carries for 14 yards and one catch for 7 yards on one target for 3.1 PPR points. He should perform better in Week 16 against the Ravens, and he had 13.3 PPR points against Baltimore in Week 11. But Harris only has one catch in his past two games, and he scored 7.4 PPR points or less in two of his past four outings. The Ravens are No. 8 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Harris will likely need a touchdown to save his Fantasy production in Week 16. He's a flex option at best in most formats.
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Steelers' Najee Harris: Touchdown saves day
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Harris rushed the ball 16 times for 53 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-14 win over the Browns.
The Steelers had a mediocre day offensively, with nearly all of their skill-position players posting modest stat lines. Harris was no exception, as he managed only 3.3 yards per carry despite tallying a 20-yard gain for the second consecutive game. Even with the inefficiency, Harris still managed a decent fantasy performance thanks to a one-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Since Russell Wilson has taken over under center, Harris has four trips to the end zone in seven contests, though he's failed to reach 80 yards on the ground in five straight matchups.
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Steelers' Najee Harris: Tough sledding on 18 touches
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Harris rushed 16 times for 41 yards and brought in both targets for 13 yards in the Steelers' 24-19 loss to the Browns on Thursday night.
The Browns' defense came into the night with some extreme home/road splits against the run, and Cleveland's typically stout work against opposing ground attacks at Huntington Bank Field continued to Harris' detriment Thursday. The fourth-year pro was constantly stymied at or near the line of scrimmage, with his longest run going for a modest 11 yards. Harris' yardage total was his lowest since Week 4, but he should have a good opportunity to bounce back in a Week 13 road matchup against a more giving Bengals defense on Sunday, Dec. 1.
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Steelers' Najee Harris: RBs to Start
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Harris is worth trusting as a No. 2 running back in all leagues heading into Thursday's game against the Browns. Cleveland has allowed a running back to score at least 12.9 PPR points in three games in a row, but Taysom Hill also had seven carries for 138 yards and three touchdowns against the Browns in Week 11. Harris has scored at least 13.3 PPR points in four of his past five games, and he scored at least 12.6 PPR points in three of his past five meetings against the Browns.
