RB Najee Harris, LAC (1 Viewer)

[Bronco Billy]

A seasoned vet used to the rigors of the NFL could very well be capable of a modified workload in week 1 and ramp up from there.

If his eye is healed sufficiently, of course.

There are very strict limitations for ocular injuries. No strenuous activity. None. Any strain increases pressure which can disrupt healing.

I’m not an optometrist but I did have cataract surgery & the 5 pages of “do not do’s” + 10 lb weight lift limit were extremely clear. I’ve read some of the sports medicine guys on socials comment on this & confirm that he’s not able to work out at all.

So that’s what, 7 weeks without running or lifting? No agility drills, no endurance exercises? Hard to imagine anyone popping in & getting a workload in NFL games ~2 weeks later.

So all of his work on the sidelines over the past 11 days is what - some kind of smokescreen? To what end?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

So all of his work on the sidelines over the past 11 days is what - some kind of smokescreen? To what end?

All the reports I’ve seen of the “work” has been described as “walking around” without pads or a helmet.

I’ve seen no reports of him running or cutting, or doing football things. It’s possible he’s been ramping up and I missed it, but 7 weeks off takes a meaningful toll on an athlete.

 

[TheWinz]

So all of his work on the sidelines over the past 11 days is what - some kind of smokescreen? To what end?

Hey Najee, do us a favor and go stand over there. Just juggle those footballs and be seen. We want to trick the other 31 teams into thinking we have a 1/2 punch still.

 

[Bronco Billy]

So all of his work on the sidelines over the past 11 days is what - some kind of smokescreen? To what end?

All the reports I’ve seen of the “work” has been described as “walking around” without pads or a helmet.

I’ve seen no reports of him running or cutting, or doing football things. It’s possible he’s been ramping up and I missed it, but 7 weeks off takes a meaningful toll on an athlete.

Funny, I’m seeing reports of his wearing his helmet with a shaded visor in drills and running and doing agility drills with a weighted vest.

I guess these are just more lies. Chargercorn One!

Let’s talk more if he’s still on the NFI list come Wednesday.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Funny, I’m seeing reports of his wearing his helmet with a shaded visor in drills and running and doing agility drills with a weighted vest.

I guess these are just more lies. Chargercorn One!

Or maybe that’s a more recent report than what I’d seen. Like I said, he’s probably ramping up.

Does that mean he’s 100% back to shape after 7+ weeks of no activity at all? I’m betting not, but you have ignored that aspect for several posts now.

The “lies” convo was one you were having with someone else, so kindly don’t project that crap onto me, thanks.

 

[TheWinz]

So all of his work on the sidelines over the past 11 days is what - some kind of smokescreen? To what end?

All the reports I’ve seen of the “work” has been described as “walking around” without pads or a helmet.

I’ve seen no reports of him running or cutting, or doing football things. It’s possible he’s been ramping up and I missed it, but 7 weeks off takes a meaningful toll on an athlete.

Funny, I’m seeing reports of his wearing his helmet with a shaded visor in drills and running and doing agility drills with a weighted vest.

I guess these are just more lies. Chargercorn One!

Let’s talk more if he’s still on the NFI list come Wednesday.

Yes, I do believe he is wearing his helmet with a shaded visor and a weighted vest. But what exactly is he doing once he dons the visored helmet and vest? This is the part that concerns me. If he is wearing a visored helmet, why can't he participate with the team in practice? We all hear recovery timelines for high ankle sprains, hammies, etc., but what about eyes?

 

[Bronco Billy]

Funny, I’m seeing reports of his wearing his helmet with a shaded visor in drills and running and doing agility drills with a weighted vest.

I guess these are just more lies. Chargercorn One!

Or maybe that’s a more recent report than what I’d seen. Like I said, he’s probably ramping up.

Does that mean he’s 100% back to shape after 7+ weeks of no activity at all? I’m betting not, but you have ignored that aspect for several posts now.

The “lies” convo was one you were having with someone else, so kindly don’t project that crap onto me, thanks.

Actually, I addressed your 7+ weeks of no activity in an earlier post by saying he’s been working out - since Aug 12. Apparently you ignored that. You’re insisting it’s not true. Based on what evidence exactly?

But maybe you’re right. Maybe he doesn’t even have an eye anymore and it’s just A-eye on the sidelines.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

So all of his work on the sidelines over the past 11 days is what - some kind of smokescreen? To what end?

All the reports I’ve seen of the “work” has been described as “walking around” without pads or a helmet.

I’ve seen no reports of him running or cutting, or doing football things. It’s possible he’s been ramping up and I missed it, but 7 weeks off takes a meaningful toll on an athlete.

Funny, I’m seeing reports of his wearing his helmet with a shaded visor in drills and running and doing agility drills with a weighted vest.

I guess these are just more lies. Chargercorn One!

Let’s talk more if he’s still on the NFI list come Wednesday.

Yes, I do believe he is wearing his helmet with a shaded visor and a weighted vest. But what exactly is he doing once he dons the visored helmet and vest? This is the part that concerns me. If he is wearing a visored helmet, why can't he participate with the team in practice? We all hear recovery timelines for high ankle sprains, hammies, etc., but what about eyes?

The last report I read said he was walking on the sidelines. But I admit I am not the chargers beat writer.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

But maybe you’re right. Maybe he doesn’t even have an eye anymore and it’s just A-eye on the sidelines.

Sorry, where did I say he doesn’t have an eye anymore? Can you quote that for me instead of asserting I said something I didn’t? Thanks.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

People could remove the mystery of these disagreements by, I don’t know, actually posting links to the content they are referencing

 

[darksideofoz]

People could remove the mystery of these disagreements by, I don’t know, actually posting links to the content they are referencing

as would be expected in any educated and respectful society.

 

[Bronco Billy]

But maybe you’re right. Maybe he doesn’t even have an eye anymore and it’s just A-eye on the sidelines.

Sorry, where did I say he doesn’t have an eye anymore? Can you quote that for me instead of asserting I said something I didn’t? Thanks.

Um - that was a joke. I’m sorry that you didn’t understand that.

I’ve had enough of this nonsense. We’ll see what happens on or before Tuesday.

 

[Tau837]

Daniel Popper is my favorite Chargers beat writer. He has been posting frequent articles at the Athletic throughout camp and preseason. Here are his comments in those articles over the past month:

7/26

Running back Najee Harris was on the field Friday for the second straight day watching practice in street clothes. Harris remains on the non-football injury list after injuring his eye in a fireworks accident. On both Thursday and Friday, Harris had large sunglasses covering his eyes.

8/10

Running back Najee Harris remains on the non-football injury list with an eye injury he sustained in a July 4 fireworks accident. With Harris out, rookie Omarion Hampton has been the clear lead back in training camp practices

8/12

Najee Harris, who remains on the non-football illness list, showed progress in his return from an eye injury. Harris was jogging early in practice. Later in practice, he was running with a football in his hands in between cones, which were set up to mimic offensive linemen.

8/21

Harbaugh continues to avoid providing any details on the status of running back Najee Harris, who remains on the non-football injury list with a right eye injury he suffered in a July 4 fireworks accident. Harris has been ramping up his football work off to the side of Chargers practices, but he has not practiced.

The Chargers must make a decision on Harris by 1 p.m. PT on Tuesday, when final cuts are due. If Harris remains on NFI after that deadline, he will be forced to miss the first four games of the season. That feels like the likely resolution at this stage.

8/23

Harris did not practice in training camp after injuring his eye in a July 4 fireworks accident. He remains on the non-football injury list. Hortiz said on the CBS broadcast Saturday that Harris is “on track” and “hopefully” will be ready for Week 1. Still, I think Harris will begin the season on NFI.

Not a lot to go on there. There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

The Chargers first game is 9/5. That is in 12 days, and it is in Brazil, so i'm guessing the Chargers will travel a couple days early. I don't see any chance he is ready and able to play. I think NFI is a lock.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Not a lot to go on there. There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

Those are the articles I’d been seeing. Based on comments above I thought maybe I’d missed some update about actual football activity.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Does this have to join Mason Taylor in the category of threads I bail on because they’ve become unreadable as a result of posters desperately trying to score internet points?

 

[steelwind]

Looks like his game activation will depend on that vein in the eye healing 100%. Logically it’s the reason to keeping cardio down. He very well may be able to see 100%, but that doesn’t matter. You don’t want risk of vein popping.

Because it’s NFI, there’s HIPPA issues as far as what they can reveal publicly.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

You don’t want risk of vein popping

Yep. That’s exactly why ocular injuries are so tricky. I was shocked by the after-care notes I had after a lens replacement, and it sounds like Najee’s injury was more significant.

IIRC, they’d initially described Najee’s injury as not very serious? Yeah, that might be interesting to revisit when we finally know what this is.

 

[darksideofoz]

You don’t want risk of vein popping

Yep. That’s exactly why ocular injuries are so tricky. I was shocked by the after-care notes I had after a lens replacement, and it sounds like Najee’s injury was more significant.

IIRC, they’d initially described Najee’s injury as not very serious? Yeah, that might be interesting to revisit when we finally know what this is.

I believe it was only his agent claiming it was "superficial." I kept waiting for something from a more credible source than the guy who could lose money if his client loses his job. I don't remember getting anything spoken from the team to clear up the severity.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I believe it was only his agent claiming it was "superficial." I kept waiting for something from a more credible source than the guy who could lose money if his client loses his job. I don't remember getting anything spoken from the team to clear up the severity.

Yep - that tracks. And spot on - what agent’s gonna be like, “yep, he’s blind. Lolz”

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Well, on the plus side vision to see running lanes and cutbacks was never really his strength…..

 

[HW_53]

Hope the best for him - genuinely... but, IN JEST - maybe he should be a Raider?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Hope the best for him - genuinely... but, IN JEST - maybe he should be a Raider?

Ok that’s solid.

 

[renesauz]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself
BTW, no point taking him off the NFI list until he's really within a week or so. I expect he'll be off it for cutdowns, and ready by week 3

 

[Tau837]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself

I repeat from above: There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

How could he be "close"? They probably leave for Brazil in 9-10 calendar days.

 

[renesauz]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself

I repeat from above: There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

How could he be "close"? They probably leave for Brazil in 9-10 calendar days.

It's an eye...if he can run cone drills on the side, he's close. See my revision to above post...no point to taking him off NFI before now, he didnt need preseason game action

 

[Tau837]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself

I repeat from above: There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

How could he be "close"? They probably leave for Brazil in 9-10 calendar days.

It's an eye...if he can run cone drills on the side, he's close. See my revision to above post...no point to taking him off NFI before now, he didnt need preseason game action

OK, I will agree to disagree with you. I expect him to remain on NFI through the cutdown deadline.

I'm surprised at those of you who apparently believe it takes a week or less to go from not wearing pads and taking any hitting or running full speed drills or normal workouts... on a new team in a new offense with new teammates... to playing in an NFL game. I guess we'll see which of us is correct.

 

[renesauz]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself

I repeat from above: There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

How could he be "close"? They probably leave for Brazil in 9-10 calendar days.

It's an eye...if he can run cone drills on the side, he's close. See my revision to above post...no point to taking him off NFI before now, he didnt need preseason game action

OK, I will agree to disagree with you. I expect him to remain on NFI through the cutdown deadline.

I'm surprised at those of you who apparently believe it takes a week or less to go from not wearing pads and taking any hitting or running full speed drills or normal workouts... on a new team in a new offense with new teammates... to playing in an NFL game. I guess we'll see which of us is correct.

I Undrstand that getting in "football shape" might take a week or two. What I don't get is that since it's an EYE, if he's able to successfully navigate a cone drill, why you would think he isn't close?

 

[Tau837]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself

I repeat from above: There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

How could he be "close"? They probably leave for Brazil in 9-10 calendar days.

It's an eye...if he can run cone drills on the side, he's close. See my revision to above post...no point to taking him off NFI before now, he didnt need preseason game action

OK, I will agree to disagree with you. I expect him to remain on NFI through the cutdown deadline.

I'm surprised at those of you who apparently believe it takes a week or less to go from not wearing pads and taking any hitting or running full speed drills or normal workouts... on a new team in a new offense with new teammates... to playing in an NFL game. I guess we'll see which of us is correct.

I Undrstand that getting in "football shape" might take a week or two. What I don't get is that since it's an EYE, if he's able to successfully navigate a cone drill, why you would think he isn't close?

I already posted reasons twice. I also said I will agree to disagree with you, and we'll find out tomorrow.

 

[TheWinz]

I Undrstand that getting in "football shape" might take a week or two. What I don't get is that since it's an EYE, if he's able to successfully navigate a cone drill, why you would think he isn't close?

I see you capitalized the word EYE, and I'm assuming you did that because after all, hey, it's only an eye. How long would an eye take to heal? That's the problem here - his eye has to be jacked up in order for him to not be able to do full on drills with the team. I doubt one of the drills is run through defenders as they try to poke you in the eye.

 

[zamboni]

Even if he’s ready to go week 1, he hasn’t practiced in weeks. Not sure how his conditioning will be come game day.

 

[Terpman22]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself

I repeat from above: There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

How could he be "close"? They probably leave for Brazil in 9-10 calendar days.

It's an eye...if he can run cone drills on the side, he's close. See my revision to above post...no point to taking him off NFI before now, he didnt need preseason game action

The thing is, like, its gotta be bad bad still right? A guy that "runs for a living" not one report of him even going full speed or anything?

I mean, I can find an open field, close my eyes, and sprint "blind" for at least 20 yards before the hammy starts yelling at me

And this guy, alleged professional athlete, still isn't churning his legs bc of one single eyeball?

And we still have not seen one picture of it yet, a la the JPP 2 finger discount from years ago that we eventually saw?

With social media being even MORE intense now.

Gotta be bad bad

Sincerely, Hampton Share Holder

 

[Bronco Billy]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself

I repeat from above: There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

How could he be "close"? They probably leave for Brazil in 9-10 calendar days.

It's an eye...if he can run cone drills on the side, he's close. See my revision to above post...no point to taking him off NFI before now, he didnt need preseason game action

OK, I will agree to disagree with you. I expect him to remain on NFI through the cutdown deadline.

I'm surprised at those of you who apparently believe it takes a week or less to go from not wearing pads and taking any hitting or running full speed drills or normal workouts... on a new team in a new offense with new teammates... to playing in an NFL game. I guess we'll see which of us is correct.

The rule of thumb for conditioned athletes is that it takes one week to fully recover the conditioning for every month lost. You can choose to believe that or not as you see fit.

 

[Ilov80s]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself

I repeat from above: There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

How could he be "close"? They probably leave for Brazil in 9-10 calendar days.

It's an eye...if he can run cone drills on the side, he's close. See my revision to above post...no point to taking him off NFI before now, he didnt need preseason game action

The thing is, like, its gotta be bad bad still right? A guy that "runs for a living" not one report of him even going full speed or anything?

I mean, I can find an open field, close my eyes, and sprint "blind" for at least 20 yards before the hammy starts yelling at me

And this guy, alleged professional athlete, still isn't churning his legs bc of one single eyeball?

And we still have not seen one picture of it yet, a la the JPP 2 finger discount from years ago that we eventually saw?

With social media being even MORE intense now.

Gotta be bad bad

Sincerely, Hampton Share Holder

I would imagine the lack of running or full speed running is about keeping the eye stable to make sure it fully recovers. I have no idea how long it takes for an eye injury to heal or what kind of eye injury it is but it's an eye, you would be insane to do anything but take the most cautious approach to recovery.

 

[TheWinz]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself

I repeat from above: There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

How could he be "close"? They probably leave for Brazil in 9-10 calendar days.

It's an eye...if he can run cone drills on the side, he's close. See my revision to above post...no point to taking him off NFI before now, he didnt need preseason game action

OK, I will agree to disagree with you. I expect him to remain on NFI through the cutdown deadline.

I'm surprised at those of you who apparently believe it takes a week or less to go from not wearing pads and taking any hitting or running full speed drills or normal workouts... on a new team in a new offense with new teammates... to playing in an NFL game. I guess we'll see which of us is correct.

The rule of thumb for conditioned athletes is that it takes one week to fully recover the conditioning for every month lost. You can choose to believe that or not as you see fit.

We only know he was game-ready the last time he played in Jan 2025, right? Does the clock restart as of July 4th?

 

[Terpman22]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself

I repeat from above: There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

How could he be "close"? They probably leave for Brazil in 9-10 calendar days.

It's an eye...if he can run cone drills on the side, he's close. See my revision to above post...no point to taking him off NFI before now, he didnt need preseason game action

The thing is, like, its gotta be bad bad still right? A guy that "runs for a living" not one report of him even going full speed or anything?

I mean, I can find an open field, close my eyes, and sprint "blind" for at least 20 yards before the hammy starts yelling at me

And this guy, alleged professional athlete, still isn't churning his legs bc of one single eyeball?

And we still have not seen one picture of it yet, a la the JPP 2 finger discount from years ago that we eventually saw?

With social media being even MORE intense now.

Gotta be bad bad

Sincerely, Hampton Share Holder

I would imagine the lack of running or full speed running is about keeping the eye stable to make sure it fully recovers. I have no idea how long it takes for an eye injury to heal or what kind of eye injury it is but it's an eye, you would be insane to do anything but take the most cautious approach to recovery.

Yeah kind of what I'm getting at, its really really really bad, maybe badder than they are letting on...

 

[Bronco Billy]

seems far more likely to me that they've made no moves because he's close. He IS working out on the field, so there's no real reason to expect GM is lying other then a misguided hope the rookie has it all to himself

I repeat from above: There is no indication that he has done any running or cutting at full speed, any receiving drills, any blocking drills, or even lifting as part of a normal workout routine. He certainly has not had pads on or had any contact.

How could he be "close"? They probably leave for Brazil in 9-10 calendar days.

It's an eye...if he can run cone drills on the side, he's close. See my revision to above post...no point to taking him off NFI before now, he didnt need preseason game action

OK, I will agree to disagree with you. I expect him to remain on NFI through the cutdown deadline.

I'm surprised at those of you who apparently believe it takes a week or less to go from not wearing pads and taking any hitting or running full speed drills or normal workouts... on a new team in a new offense with new teammates... to playing in an NFL game. I guess we'll see which of us is correct.

The rule of thumb for conditioned athletes is that it takes one week to fully recover the conditioning for every month lost. You can choose to believe that or not as you see fit.

We only know he was game-ready the last time he played in Jan 2025, right? Does the clock restart as of July 4th?

What is it with you coming up with every worst case scenario when you haven’t looked for any information related to it? Are you hoping his career is over?

Harris was performing well in OTAs:

Ex-Steelers running back lighting up OTAs and minicamp with new team

Najee Harris is getting early rave reviews with the Chargers.

www.pennlive.com

Is it reasonable to consider that his conditioning was in solid shape then?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

The rule of thumb for conditioned athletes is that it takes one week to fully recover the conditioning for every month lost. You can choose to believe that or not as you see fit.

So… 7 weeks.

 

[stillfeelme]

I find it hard to believe Najee is playing week 1 without practing in full at all. They have to be concerned with healing being affected by playing full speed. I would think he would be wearing googles if the concern of debris dirt etc entering his eye. From what I read if he stays on the NFI list by Tuesday 4pm then he has to miss 4 games. My take is they they think he might be ready before week 4 but highly unlikely for week 1.

 

[socrates]

What is the NFL's position on seeing-eye dogs on the field?

 

[Chardo1]

I'm more interested in what this all means for Hampton.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

His "real time ADP" (per fantasypros) is dropping like a rock, down to RB49. Take that for what it's worth.

 

[Gatorade]

What is the NFL's position on seeing-eye dogs on the field?

Maybe Dallas could get them for all of their RBs

 

[travdogg]

I'm more interested in what this all means for Hampton.

I'd think high-end RB2 right out of the gate, probably would have been a top-10 guy if Slater hadn't went down.

 

[tommyGunZ]

In addition to the risk Najee owners carry with not having any idea when he will return, now that it seems likely he will miss perhaps multiple weeks, the additional risk of Hampton running away with the gig have dramatically increased.

I won't pretend to be a scout, but seems likely that a 1st round RB paired with a Harbaugh OL and run-first philosophy would be a relatively good wager. Harris now has to get healthy and likely wrestle the job away from Hampton.

 

[Tau837]

In addition to the risk Najee owners carry with not having any idea when he will return, now that it seems likely he will miss perhaps multiple weeks, the additional risk of Hampton running away with the gig have dramatically increased.

I won't pretend to be a scout, but seems likely that a 1st round RB paired with a Harbaugh OL and run-first philosophy would be a relatively good wager. Harris now has to get healthy and likely wrestle the job away from Hampton.

If Harris did not sustain the eye injury, I think the season would have opened with him at RB1 and Hampton at RB2, and I expected it would be only a matter of time until it became a 1a/1b situation.

Now Hampton is going to be RB1 from the start, and I think Harris's battle will be to wrestle the RB2 job away from Rocket Sanders. I don't think Harris will ever be the Chargers RB1 unless Hampton gets hurt AND Harris returns to full health and previous performance level.

Assuming Harris remains on NFI tomorrow, thus guaranteeing he will miss 4 games, there is really no reason for the Chargers to rush him back if Hampton, Sanders, et al. remain healthy. Even if they aren't performing great, that will most likely be due to OL play, and there is no reason to believe Harris would be the solution to that. He effectively becomes an expensive insurance policy against injury.

 

[darksideofoz]

In addition to the risk Najee owners carry with not having any idea when he will return, now that it seems likely he will miss perhaps multiple weeks, the additional risk of Hampton running away with the gig have dramatically increased.

I won't pretend to be a scout, but seems likely that a 1st round RB paired with a Harbaugh OL and run-first philosophy would be a relatively good wager. Harris now has to get healthy and likely wrestle the job away from Hampton.

Is 45% run plays considered run first philosophy? They were 10th highest in the league. I guess if we go relatively speaking that couldn't qualify. I remember watching them all last year thinking they were throwing a lot more than I would have expected. Maybe improving the talent in the RB room will increase the run attempts.

 

[TheWinz]

Is it reasonable to consider that his conditioning was in solid shape then?

I think you are failing to understand my actual concern. It's not his conditioning at all, not even a little. My concern is 100% about his eye and that's it. Other than being sedentary, what has Najee done to rehab his eye? Running cone drills and lifting weights, etc. have absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I think his eye is much more serious than the team is letting on. At this point I would rather see him take an eye exam instead of running in pads with tacklers and all.

I made an analogy about that movie The Cutting Edge. A hockey phenom gets checked into the boards and loses his peripheral vision, ending his career. He's in great shape, so he switches to figure skating, but not before all the pro hockey scouts give up on him. That's how I envision Najee at the moment. And at this point, I can't be proven wrong.

 

[rockaction]

In addition to the risk Najee owners carry with not having any idea when he will return, now that it seems likely he will miss perhaps multiple weeks, the additional risk of Hampton running away with the gig have dramatically increased.

I won't pretend to be a scout, but seems likely that a 1st round RB paired with a Harbaugh OL and run-first philosophy would be a relatively good wager. Harris now has to get healthy and likely wrestle the job away from Hampton.

Is 45% run plays considered run first philosophy? They were 10th highest in the league. I guess if we go relatively speaking that couldn't qualify. I remember watching them all last year thinking they were throwing a lot more than I would have expected. Maybe improving the talent in the RB room will increase the run attempts.

I roster Herbert in a league and McConkey in another. They bled the clock and weren’t fun and gun but they threw quite a bit considering the media narrative. Harbaugh loves Herbert. He talks about Canton and stuff when waxing rhapsodic. They’re going to throw. Not as much as some of us would like, but they won’t be bottom five in run/pass percentage. I don’t think.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Is 45% run plays considered run first philosophy? They were 10th highest in the league. I guess if we go relatively speaking that couldn't qualify. I remember watching them all last year thinking they were throwing a lot more than I would have expected. Maybe improving the talent in the RB room will increase the run attempts.

Part of the *greater than expected* passing % had to do with their RB room taking hits last year. I recall reading that earlier this offseason but apologies, I can’t recall where.

I do expect them to be closer to 50-50 or even 55-45, but that said, some of the FF folks were talking about Harbaugh/Roman like they wanted to return to the days that the vertical pass was shocking. It was wildly exaggerated in my opinion, especially considering Harbaugh was going to a team with such a talented QB.

But I do believe the bolded has merit. I do not believe it is any cause to drop Herbert or Ladd in your rankings.

 

[tommyGunZ]

IMO, the Chargers passed more than expected last year due to the fact that their interior OL was . They drafted Hampton, went out and got Beckton to play RG, and strongly considered a change at C. All indicators of a larger commitment to running the football.

The Slater injury certainly complicates best laid plans, but I still think we will see a strong emphasis on the running game for at least the first half of the season. Of course if it isn't working, they will adjust. But a 50-50 run to pass would be my guess assuming neutral game scripts, which would put them in the top 5 in the NFL.

ETA from Sando:

Sando opined that the Chargers biggest move was adding massive right guard Mekhi Becton.
Sando wrote:
The Chargers seemingly could have done more this offseason, but one of their biggest additions should help them build on their physical identity under second-year coach Jim Harbaugh. Free-agent addition Mekhi Becton, all 6-foot-7 and 363 pounds of him, slots in at right guard next to the similarly massive tackle Joe Alt. It'll be fun to see those two giants aligned next to one another (unless you're a defensive lineman).
Becton and Alt, who is 6-8 and 323 pounds, already look menacing together on the right side of the Chargers offensive line.