Najee Harris, running back for the Los Angeles Chargers, got the green light from the team’s doctors to take part in full contact practices. This news comes after a severe eye injury he sustained during a Fourth of July fireworks accident. The injury would eventually land him on the non-football injury/illness list prior to training camp. As he prepares for the upcoming season, Harris’s recovery progress raises hopes for his participation in the Chargers’ season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in Brazil this Friday.
It was part of the change that saw Harris wear an all-yellow jersey in last week’s practices. This decision gave the impression that he was not completely past his injury. The fact that he was cleared to go back to full-contact practice means that he’s made considerable progress since the initial accident. In a radio interview, Coach Jim Harbaugh said that there’s about an 85% chance Harris would be able to suit up for the season opener. For the time being, his status remains unclear.
On Monday, Harris showed plenty of jump in one-on-one drills, a sign that he’s on his way back. He was still not receiving any handoffs from quarterback Justin Herbert during the part of practice open to the media. He had frequent throws with the aforementioned future NFL quarterbacks in Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei. At the same time, running backs Hassan Haskins and Omarion Hampton took handoffs from Herbert.
Despite the challenges posed by his recent injury, Harris has maintained a solid track record in his NFL career, having never missed a game to date. The Chargers’ home-opener, the welcoming of their brand-new division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, is just around the corner. Both fans and team officials are eager to see if Harris’s potential translates into an impactful contributor.
With the clock counting down to kickoff, Coach Harbaugh’s briefings on Harris will be widely followed. The team remains hopeful that their talented running back will be ready to play, bolstering their chances against a formidable opponent.
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