“His career over” - NFL fans react as Chargers RB Najee Harris provides latest update on his eye injury from 4th of July fireworks accident

NFL: Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Workout - Source: Imagn
NFL: Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Workout - Source: Imagn

There’s plenty of doubt surrounding Najee Harris' recovery from a freak injury sustained earlier this summer. A July Fourth fireworks accident caused the LA Chargers running back to hurt his eye, making it impossible to open for several weeks.

Ad

NFL reporter Dov Kleiman tweeted a picture of Harris on Friday, saying:

“Heartbreaking: Chargers star RB Najee Harris shows on Snapchat that he still cannot open his left eye.”
Ad

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

On seeing the news, fans weren’t feeling great about Harris’ chances to be back on the field anytime soon.

“my goat’s career over,” @GiannaTelvanni tweeted.
“Love this guy, but he may be cooked - RB vision is soooo important,” @GGxFootball added.
“He shouldn’t be playing in the nfl anymore then,” @captain_madden wrote.

Harris joined the Chargers in the offseason from the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year deal for $9.5 million and has reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark in each of his NFL seasons, making the Pro Bowl in 2021.

Ad

Vision is critical to running the ball, and the careers of professional athletes have ended for this reason.

In 1999, the Cleveland Browns tackle Orlando Brown was hit in the eye by an inadvertent penalty flag, causing damage to his eye, and he was never the same again.

“Please don’t come back so Omarion Hampton gets all the snaps take the season off matter of fact,” @vinsxn tweeted.
Ad
“Did he learn nothing from JPP (Jason Pierre-Paul) blowing his finger off with fireworks 10 years ago? Lol,” @LapuertaNick added.
“What a dope,” @fillerodivots wrote.

Harris’ injury leaves the door open for rookie Omarion Hampton to take the No. 1 running back job for the Chargers, and he’s been impressive in offseason training. He is a former two-time All-American at North Carolina.

Harris’ injury has many people reminiscing about what happened to Jason Pierre-Paul, an All-Pro defensive player who had to get part of his right index finger amputated in 2015 as the result of a fireworks accident on July Fourth that year when he was with the New York Giants. He played until 2023, when the Miami Dolphins waived him.

Ad

Najee Harris has a chance to play Week 1

It doesn’t appear Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh will risk putting Najee Harris into a preseason game, but his status for Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs is not out of the question.

Harbaugh said via Sports Illustrated Saturday:

“There’s a chance,” referring to Harris’ chances of playing on Sept. 5.
Ad
“I don’t comment because I’m not a doctor. I’m not Mr. Harris’ agent either. I’m talking about what I know, and ‘Can he open his eye?’ ‘Yeah.’
“I’ve looked into his eye. I can tell you stuff like that.”

The Chargers’ opening game against the reigning three-time AFC champions takes place at Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, Brazil.

Giants Nation! Check out the latest New York Giants Schedule and dive into the Giants Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

Quick Links

Edited by Joel Lefevre
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
down arrow icon
More
bell-icon Manage notifications