Former Steelers RB Najee Harris Causing Concern In Los Angeles After Scary Fireworks Accident: "Praying"

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a rather surprising decision to decline the fifth-year option of former first-round pick Najee Harris back in the 2024 offseason. It was expected to be less than $7 million, but the organization had other plans. Fast forward to 2025, and Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson and Kenneth Gainwell headline the group in the Steel City, while Harris signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. The ball-carrier was expected to be the lead back for the AFC West franchise, but the organization drafted Omarion Hampton in the round one, leading to a potential competition.

The selection of Hampton led to trade rumors developing quickly, but that conversation was out of the headlines quickly after the fourth of July. Harris was reportedly involved in a fireworks accident, and not much information has been made available to the general public. The silence from the Chargers' decision-makers has made many wonder about the severity of the injuries sustained. Most notably, the running back's eye was affected.

As teams all around the league get training camp underway, Los Angeles Head Coach Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media on Tuesday. When asked about Harris, who was placed on the Non-Football Injury List, there wasn't too much of an update in regards to when the former first-rounder will be able to put the pads on and get back to work on the field.

Fans in the Steel City didn't love Harris' four-year stint in Pittsburgh, but all are certainly wishing him a speedy recovery. If the running back is unable to practice during training camp, that would suggest that the injury may be more serious than many think. The most important part of being a ball-carrier at the professional level is the vision of the respective individual, and that could currently be an issue for Harris as he recovers.

It will be interesting to see how the rest of the offseason goes for Harris, but there is a bit of mystery involved with this eye injury that is hard to get a true handle on. What happened is unfortunate, but reps are crucial when players are in new environments, and if Harris is unable to workout with his new team for the rest of July and all of August, Hampton may immediately be vaulted into a starting role.

Players have the right to live their lives and enjoy personal time, but Harris being involved in a fireworks accident is directly affecting his first training camp outside of the Steel City. He is a veteran that will get up to speed quickly when he is able to get out on the field; however, the next few weeks seem to be especially critical when it comes to his recovery.

Harris was expected to get the nod as the starter, at least to begin the 2025 season, but plans internally may be changing with him possibly not practicing at all throughout the final stage of team development. It has to make fans in Los Angeles wonder just how serious the extent of the injuries suffered are.

Steelers Are Hoping That Harris Comes Back Healthy And Ready To Play

While Harris no longer plays in Pittsburgh, he was friends with several players in the locker room and spent four seasons in the Steel City. There is no doubt that everyone in the Steelers' organization is hoping that the running back can get back to playing football soon. Time will tell when he is officially ready to go and play for the Chargers.

Do you think that the former Steelers running back's eye injury is worse than originally thought? Let us know in the comments below!

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