LA Chargers running back Najee Harris has spent all of training camp on the PUP list after suffering an eye injury on the Fourth of July. Harris suffered was his agent called a superficial injury to his left eye that would not impact his availability for the start of the 2025 season.
Fans are starting to question that timeline with Harris still on the PUP list three weeks before the Chargers open the season in Brazil against the Kansas City Chiefs. With Harris posting a concerning selfie last week, many fans have assumed that Harris won't be ready for Week 1.
Harris finally took a step in the right direction during practice on Tuesday, albeit it was a small one. The veteran running back has spent the last week-plus walking around the Chargers' practice facility with a helmet and weighted vest on. On Tuesday, that walking turned to cardio.
Najee Harris doing some light jogging out here today. First time we’ve seen him running in any capacity during practice open to the media.
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) August 12, 2025
He’s wearing a weighted vest, T shirt, shorts, helmet and cleats
Chargers RB Najee Harris takes small step in recovery
Going from walking around the practice field to jogging isn't going to suddenly expedite his return to football activities, but it is at least a step in the right direction for Harris. Fans haven't seen any real improvement throughout training camp, so this is a welcome sight.
Still, it's hard for fans to get excited about Harris being ready for the start of the season. The timeline is getting shorter and shorter and with every passing day, the odds of Harris starting the year on IR grow.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has been noncommittal about whether or not Harris would be ready for the start of the season. The Chargers have certainly prepared for the reality in which Harris isn't ready, as evident by the team signing Nyheim Miller-Hines before the preseason got underway.
At this point in time, fans should operate under the assumption that Harris won't be ready to start the season and that it will be the Omarion Hampton show early on against the Chargers' AFC West foes.
Then, if Harris does turn a corner and is ready to go at the start of the season, Chargers fans can be pleasantly surprised.