Chargers RB Najee Harris cleared for contact after eye damage

EL SEGUNDO, Calif — Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris, who missed all of training camp because of an eye injury he sustained in a fireworks mishap, said Monday that he expects to play in the Chargers’ season opener Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil.

“I think it’s probably my fifth day at practice, just trying to get back in that football shape,” he said. “But I am feeling good though, and we’ll just see where it leads.”

Najee Harris just spoke for a few minutes, said he’s expecting to play Friday but is “ramping up to it” and “see where it raises us.”

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— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) September 1, 2025

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday that Harris was cleared to participate in full-contact practice for the first time since signing with the team in March. Harbaugh was noncommittal, however, about Harris’ status for Friday’s game: “There’s a possibility,” he said. “He’s looked really good in practice.”

Harbaugh also said that wide receiver Quentin Johnston cleared concussion protocol. Johnston suffered a frightening concussion in the Chargers’ second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams that left him motionless on the field for several minutes. Johnston didn’t miss much practice time and appears in line to play Friday.

Harris has worn shades or a helmet with a tinted visor when he has practiced in front of the public this summer. When asked if he is intentionally hiding the injury by wearing shades, Harris said he didn’t care what people think he might be doing.

Harris declined to specify how this injury happened, but said that his vision wasn’t impacted, calling the damage “superficial.”

“That whole situation, it just shows you how things could change in just the snap of a finger,” he said. “… I’m just happy that everybody’s safe and we’re alive.”

Before Monday, Harris had worn a yellow jersey at practice, which signals a player still working through an injury.

Harris looked quick in individual drills but didn’t take handoffs from quarterback Justin Herbert in the period open to the media.

Running backs Hassan Haskins and Omarion Hampton took handoffs from Herbert while Harris worked with quarterbacks Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei.

Harris has never missed a game in his NFL career. If he were to miss any time, the Chargers would likely lean heavily on Hampton.