RB Najee Harris, LAC (3 Viewers)

[habsfan]

If Najee is the 1a people are going to lose their minds. I’m not suggesting that it’s likely (yet). I have zero shares of either but it’ll be popcorn time for me if that’s how it shakes out.

If you remember Gibbs and Jonathan Taylors rookie years they were slowly given more work as the season went on and created a lot of early season fantasy regeret. I could see that happening here as well.

Overdrafting rookies in redraft and undervaluing the real football value placed on proven commodities is definitely a thing. It's often followed by weeks of outrage that the "clearly better back" isn't taking over.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Good to see him back, but I fully expect him to be little more than a handcuff. The talent difference is significant. Hampton is going to set the bar at a level Najee just cannot reach. Especially if he has the backfield all to himself week 1. This is going to be a 2 to 1 split in carries on a normal day.

Are you being serious? Najee came into the NFL with a higher draft grade than Hampton, he's bigger, more agile and has proven his ability to tote the rock in the NFL on some pretty bad (pathetically bad passing) Steelers teams. With the threat of an actual passing game, he should get better although mileage is a concern. Harris is on a prove it contract later in his career, but Harris should be the 1A to Hampton's 1B this year IMHO. Hampton might develop into something and he might not, but Harris has never been below 1,000 yards in his career. Grades of Hampton were all over the map, so it will be fun to see what he can do.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Good to see him back, but I fully expect him to be little more than a handcuff. The talent difference is significant. Hampton is going to set the bar at a level Najee just cannot reach. Especially if he has the backfield all to himself week 1. This is going to be a 2 to 1 split in carries on a normal day.

Are you being serious? Najee came into the NFL with a higher draft grade than Hampton, he's bigger, more agile and has proven his ability to tote the rock in the NFL on some pretty bad (pathetically bad passing) Steelers teams. With the threat of an actual passing game, he should get better although mileage is a concern. Harris is on a prove it contract later in his career, but Harris should be the 1A to Hampton's 1B this year IMHO. Hampton might develop into something and he might not, but Harris has never been below 1,000 yards in his career. Grades of Hampton were all over the map, so it will be fun to see what he can do.

Huh. Interesting. Harris definitely has one eye on the future and one eye in the rear view mirror.

 

[Tau837]

Good to see him back, but I fully expect him to be little more than a handcuff. The talent difference is significant. Hampton is going to set the bar at a level Najee just cannot reach. Especially if he has the backfield all to himself week 1. This is going to be a 2 to 1 split in carries on a normal day.

Are you being serious? Najee came into the NFL with a higher draft grade than Hampton, he's bigger, more agile and has proven his ability to tote the rock in the NFL on some pretty bad (pathetically bad passing) Steelers teams. With the threat of an actual passing game, he should get better although mileage is a concern. Harris is on a prove it contract later in his career, but Harris should be the 1A to Hampton's 1B this year IMHO. Hampton might develop into something and he might not, but Harris has never been below 1,000 yards in his career. Grades of Hampton were all over the map, so it will be fun to see what he can do.

Assuming Hampton stays healthy, I predict he has at least 75 more touches than Harris. He was impressive in camp.

 

[Ilov80s]

If Najee is the 1a people are going to lose their minds. I’m not suggesting that it’s likely (yet). I have zero shares of either but it’ll be popcorn time for me if that’s how it shakes out.

If you remember Gibbs and Jonathan Taylors rookie years they were slowly given more work as the season went on and created a lot of early season fantasy regeret. I could see that happening here as well.

Overdrafting rookies in redraft and undervaluing the real football value placed on proven commodities is definitely a thing. It's often followed by weeks of outrage that the "clearly better back" isn't taking over.

Yep though often when the second half of the season comes, the rookie has earned their spot and is shining.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Good to see him back, but I fully expect him to be little more than a handcuff. The talent difference is significant. Hampton is going to set the bar at a level Najee just cannot reach. Especially if he has the backfield all to himself week 1. This is going to be a 2 to 1 split in carries on a normal day.

Are you being serious? Najee came into the NFL with a higher draft grade than Hampton, he's bigger, more agile and has proven his ability to tote the rock in the NFL on some pretty bad (pathetically bad passing) Steelers teams. With the threat of an actual passing game, he should get better although mileage is a concern. Harris is on a prove it contract later in his career, but Harris should be the 1A to Hampton's 1B this year IMHO. Hampton might develop into something and he might not, but Harris has never been below 1,000 yards in his career. Grades of Hampton were all over the map, so it will be fun to see what he can do.

Huh. Interesting. Harris definitely has one eye on the future and one eye in the rear view mirror.

That’s 1 more eye than I thought he had at this point, so maybe you’re onto something.

 

[cdclopper]

That should about do it for the eye jokes hopefully

 

[FarFromHome]

I'm pro Hampton. I failed to secure any shares. That's on me. My gut says Harris is gonna eat more then people think. Harris is gonna be a thorn in Hampton owners side. The good news is Chargers are gonna make an effort to lead the league in rushing. I think both can be useful.

 

[joey]

I'm pro Hampton. I failed to secure any shares. That's on me. My gut says Harris is gonna eat more then people think. Harris is gonna be a thorn in Hampton owners side. The good news is Chargers are gonna make an effort to lead the league in rushing. I think both can be useful.

I have Harris in 2 leagues and Hampton in 2 leagues, don’t roster both in any. so I want the Chargers to run 100% of the time to make both RBs fantasy RB1’s. Too much to ask?

Either way, I’m keeping a close eye on this situation.

 

[FarFromHome]

I'm pro Hampton. I failed to secure any shares. That's on me. My gut says Harris is gonna eat more then people think. Harris is gonna be a thorn in Hampton owners side. The good news is Chargers are gonna make an effort to lead the league in rushing. I think both can be useful.

I have Harris in 2 leagues and Hampton in 2 leagues, don’t roster both in any. so I want the Chargers to run 100% of the time to make both RBs fantasy RB1’s. Too much to ask?

Either way, I’m keeping a close eye on this situation.

Joey plays it safe and and hits the golf ball short of the pond? Ha ha

 

[Chardo1]

Good to see him back, but I fully expect him to be little more than a handcuff. The talent difference is significant. Hampton is going to set the bar at a level Najee just cannot reach. Especially if he has the backfield all to himself week 1. This is going to be a 2 to 1 split in carries on a normal day.

Are you being serious? Najee came into the NFL with a higher draft grade than Hampton, he's bigger, more agile and has proven his ability to tote the rock in the NFL on some pretty bad (pathetically bad passing) Steelers teams. With the threat of an actual passing game, he should get better although mileage is a concern. Harris is on a prove it contract later in his career, but Harris should be the 1A to Hampton's 1B this year IMHO. Hampton might develop into something and he might not, but Harris has never been below 1,000 yards in his career. Grades of Hampton were all over the map, so it will be fun to see what he can do.

I am being serious. Harris is bigger (slightly), but not more agile. His proven ability is to tote the rock in unspectacular fashion, no burst, no breakaway speed. I wouldn't say plodder, but close. Very few (if any) 4-time 1000 yard rushers have a career long run of only 37 yards. He gets what's blocked, not much more. Hampton's speed, elusiveness, and YAC are a whole different level.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

If Najee is the 1a people are going to lose their minds. I’m not suggesting that it’s likely (yet). I have zero shares of either but it’ll be popcorn time for me if that’s how it shakes out.

If you remember Gibbs and Jonathan Taylors rookie years they were slowly given more work as the season went on and created a lot of early season fantasy regeret. I could see that happening here as well.

Overdrafting rookies in redraft and undervaluing the real football value placed on proven commodities is definitely a thing. It's often followed by weeks of outrage that the "clearly better back" isn't taking over.

I saw enough game threads the last few years to know this is true. People defend their pick by pointing out how clueless the coaches are. But it's still something to be factored into your investment.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

If Najee is the 1a people are going to lose their minds. I’m not suggesting that it’s likely (yet). I have zero shares of either but it’ll be popcorn time for me if that’s how it shakes out.

If you remember Gibbs and Jonathan Taylors rookie years they were slowly given more work as the season went on and created a lot of early season fantasy regeret. I could see that happening here as well.

Overdrafting rookies in redraft and undervaluing the real football value placed on proven commodities is definitely a thing. It's often followed by weeks of outrage that the "clearly better back" isn't taking over.

I saw enough game threads the last few years to know this is true. People defend their pick by pointing out how clueless the coaches are. But it's still something to be factored into your investment.

Most teams / coaches also don’t like burning 1st round draft capital

 

[Big Nate]

If Harris is indeed 100% and doesn't have any lingering eye issues he's going to get enough burn this year to be flex worthy. Every Hampton owner is going to complain everytime Najee is on the field.

Hampton, while talented, is still a rookie and has lots to learn. Najee has seen it all and can be trusted by the coaches and QB to be in the right spot in every situation. Najee can also catch passes.

I'd gladly take Najee at his current ADP - one of the best handcuffs in the league and I would say is he really a cuff?

 

[Big Nate]

If Najee is the 1a people are going to lose their minds. I’m not suggesting that it’s likely (yet). I have zero shares of either but it’ll be popcorn time for me if that’s how it shakes out.

If you remember Gibbs and Jonathan Taylors rookie years they were slowly given more work as the season went on and created a lot of early season fantasy regeret. I could see that happening here as well.

Overdrafting rookies in redraft and undervaluing the real football value placed on proven commodities is definitely a thing. It's often followed by weeks of outrage that the "clearly better back" isn't taking over.

I saw enough game threads the last few years to know this is true. People defend their pick by pointing out how clueless the coaches are. But it's still something to be factored into your investment.

Most teams / coaches also don’t like burning 1st round draft capital

Are you hinting at a time share would be burning their 1st round pick in Hampton? The coaches are going to do whats best for their team and their players. If that is a time share then that is how it goes - no matter where or how many shares of Hampton you have.

 

[socrates]

Eye was unwilling to spend much to get Najee, so I missed out. Oh well. I am always learning. Pupil of the game. Perhaps iris-ked too much going blindly in on the Chargers running game without handicapping my odds by adding Najee. We will see. Hindsight is 20/20. I don't really en-vision Najee seeing the field much in the early weeks, but he could explode after that. Najee owners should look forward to the fireworks!

 

[joey]

Eye was unwilling to spend much to get Najee, so I missed out. Oh well. I am always learning. Pupil of the game. Perhaps iris-ked too much going blindly in on the Chargers running game without handicapping my odds by adding Najee. We will see. Hindsight is 20/20. I don't really en-vision Najee seeing the field much in the early weeks, but he could explode after that. Najee owners should look forward to the fireworks!

A+

 

[dblock05]

Before the injury, was this projected to be a 50/50 backfield?

 

[Chardo1]

Just wondering. He was around 240 pounds. With 6+ weeks of no physical activity, how out of shape did he get?

 

[Ilov80s]

Before the injury, was this projected to be a 50/50 backfield?

Yeah I think that was kind of the idea with the typical expectation that as the season goes on Hampton will earn a larger role

 

[TheWinz]

Just wondering. He was around 240 pounds. With 6+ weeks of no physical activity, how out of shape did he get?

That picture of him in street clothes with dark glasses that was floating around make him look like he's actually lost weight

 

[TheWinz]

Per Rotoworld

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Najee Harris (eye) is cleared for contact and there’s a chance he plays in Week 1 against the Chiefs.

Things have been trending in a positive direction for Harris over the last two weeks, but Harbaugh has yet to out-and-out say that he will play in Week 1. Greg Roman said a few weeks ago that Omarion Hampton will split snaps with someone in Week 1 — Harris if he plays, or (likely) Hassan Haskins if Harris sits. We’ll be monitoring Harris’ practice status all week but being cleared for contact is a good sign.

Oh, really?

 

[steelwind]

 

[Joe Bryant]

Daniel Popper

https://x.com/danielrpopper/status/1962634703057666373

Najee Harris said he is expects to play against the Chiefs on Friday in Brazil: “I’m ramping up to it.” Did not want to get into any details on what happened in the fireworks accident. Said his vision has not been affected and called the eye injury “superficial.”

 

[TheWinz]

Daniel Popper

https://x.com/danielrpopper/status/1962634703057666373

Najee Harris said he is expects to play against the Chiefs on Friday in Brazil: “I’m ramping up to it.” Did not want to get into any details on what happened in the fireworks accident. Said his vision has not been affected and called the eye injury “superficial.”

This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. If his vision wasn't the problem, what was? I mean, if he plays, he plays, but if he doesn't, it's not because of his eye?

 

[steelwind]

So he + Hampton are splitting carries?

 

[Alex P Keaton]

So he + Hampton are splitting carries?

If healthy, that’s been the plan all along

 

[socrates]

Just speculation on my behalf, but I expect Najee to be inactive Week 1. Of course, they are not going to say that. The Chargers want to make KC prepare to face a 1-2 punch in Hampton and Najee, but he has done nothing all summer. I suspect this is a smokescreen.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I’m gonna be skeptical until they Weekend at Bernie’s someone in a Najee Harris jersey onto the field.

And even then I’mma be a little sus.

 

[greenmountaingoat]

Being able to see is not the same thing as being worried that trauma could cause damage to structures in the eye.

 

[TheWinz]

Just speculation on my behalf, but I expect Najee to be inactive Week 1. Of course, they are not going to say that. The Chargers want to make KC prepare to face a 1-2 punch in Hampton and Najee, but he has done nothing all summer. I suspect this is a smokescreen.

I agree that it's just a smokescreen and LAC has known all along he wouldn't play week 1. I just want the cameras to follow Najee around to get a peak at them peepers.

 

[FarFromHome]

Just speculation on my behalf, but I expect Najee to be inactive Week 1. Of course, they are not going to say that. The Chargers want to make KC prepare to face a 1-2 punch in Hampton and Najee, but he has done nothing all summer. I suspect this is a smokescreen.

I agree that it's just a smokescreen and LAC has known all along he wouldn't play week 1. I just want the cameras to follow Najee around to get a peak at them peepers.

Interesting info. Have no idea if this is the plan. I guess my first thought is how much different does KC defense prepare with or without Najee? I mean that respectfully.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Harris declined to go into details about what specifically happened on the night of July 4.

He did say the ordeal has been a “humbling experience.”

“I’m still going through it in a way,” Harris said. “So just that whole situation, it’ll show you how things can change in the snap of a finger. It’s a blessing every day that we wake up, and I’m just happy that everybody is safe and we’re alive.”

—> what does it mean when he says “I’m still going through it in a way”?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Harris declined to go into details about what specifically happened on the night of July 4.

He did say the ordeal has been a “humbling experience.”

“I’m still going through it in a way,” Harris said. “So just that whole situation, it’ll show you how things can change in the snap of a finger. It’s a blessing every day that we wake up, and I’m just happy that everybody is safe and we’re alive.”

—> what does it mean when he says “I’m still going through it in a way”?

look, braille can be very difficult to learn. I think we should collectively give Najee the space to relearn how to do certain things. It’s called respect.

 

[socrates]

Just speculation on my behalf, but I expect Najee to be inactive Week 1. Of course, they are not going to say that. The Chargers want to make KC prepare to face a 1-2 punch in Hampton and Najee, but he has done nothing all summer. I suspect this is a smokescreen.

I agree that it's just a smokescreen and LAC has known all along he wouldn't play week 1. I just want the cameras to follow Najee around to get a peak at them peepers.

Interesting info. Have no idea if this is the plan. I guess my first thought is how much different does KC defense prepare with or without Najee? I mean that respectfully.

Fair question. I don’t know that there is a great difference in preparation, but Harbaugh seems like someone who will seize any advantage. As I say, however, this is pure conjecture on my part. I have zero insider information. Even if Najee is active, I don’t expect him to take on a heavy workload in Week 1.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

This thread is full of Hampton supporters wish-casting ill will on Najee. Najee is cleared for contact. He may be blind in one eye, or that eye might work perfectly by now. We don't know. I'm sure he had a traumatic experience either way. Maybe he had burns and cuts. Maybe he had a detached retina. Maybe his eye is gone. Lots of what ifs, but LA hasn't cut him so I expect him to be fine.

Now, Hampton's value got pretty inflated and Najee's value got pretty deflated towards the end of the draft season. Where that adds significant risk and little upside related to draft position for Hampton owners, it adds significant upside value for the Harris drafters. Towards the end of draft season before he was cleared for contact, Harris was almost free.

So I guess that's just to say, Hampton owners might be pretty worried about now so that might explain all the anxious laughter in here.

They didn't pay Najee to sit on his hands and they for sure didn't spend a 1st rounder on Omarion to sit on his. Expect both to get significant work. 50/50 split unless one really shows out or gets injured IMO.

 

[socrates]

This thread is full of Hampton supporters wish-casting ill will on Najee. Najee is cleared for contact. He may be blind in one eye, or that eye might work perfectly by now. We don't know. I'm sure he had a traumatic experience either way. Maybe he had burns and cuts. Maybe he had a detached retina. Maybe his eye is gone. Lots of what ifs, but LA hasn't cut him so I expect him to be fine.

Now, Hampton's value got pretty inflated and Najee's value got pretty deflated towards the end of the draft season. Where that adds significant risk and little upside related to draft position for Hampton owners, it adds significant upside value for the Harris drafters. Towards the end of draft season before he was cleared for contact, Harris was almost free.

So I guess that's just to say, Hampton owners might be pretty worried about now so that might explain all the anxious laughter in here.

They didn't pay Najee to sit on his hands and they for sure didn't spend a 1st rounder on Omarion to sit on his. Expect both to get significant work. 50/50 split unless one really shows out or gets injured IMO.

Fair argument. I personally have no dog in this fight. I think when or if Najee returns to full strength, he will be heavily used. The split may largely be determined by how each runner looks. The Chargers expected Gus Edwards to have a larger role last season, too.

Do you expect something close to a 50/50 split right out of the gate Week 1?

 

[Faust]

Chargers RB Najee Harris 'ramping up' to play Friday vs. Chiefs

 

[steelwind]

Harris, Judkins, C. Rodriguez went undrafted in our competitive 10 team half PPR draft.
Only had space for one and I picked up Harris.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

This thread is full of Hampton supporters wish-casting ill will on Najee. Najee is cleared for contact. He may be blind in one eye, or that eye might work perfectly by now. We don't know. I'm sure he had a traumatic experience either way. Maybe he had burns and cuts. Maybe he had a detached retina. Maybe his eye is gone. Lots of what ifs, but LA hasn't cut him so I expect him to be fine.

Now, Hampton's value got pretty inflated and Najee's value got pretty deflated towards the end of the draft season. Where that adds significant risk and little upside related to draft position for Hampton owners, it adds significant upside value for the Harris drafters. Towards the end of draft season before he was cleared for contact, Harris was almost free.

So I guess that's just to say, Hampton owners might be pretty worried about now so that might explain all the anxious laughter in here.

They didn't pay Najee to sit on his hands and they for sure didn't spend a 1st rounder on Omarion to sit on his. Expect both to get significant work. 50/50 split unless one really shows out or gets injured IMO.

Fair argument. I personally have no dog in this fight. I think when or if Najee returns to full strength, he will be heavily used. The split may largely be determined by how each runner looks. The Chargers expected Gus Edwards to have a larger role last season, too.

Do you expect something close to a 50/50 split right out of the gate Week 1?

Honestly I am not sure. By week 2 if there are no soft tissue issues after ramping it up week 1? Then yes, but week 1? I just don't know. IF he plays I would guess they trust Harris more in pass protection so he'll see some 3rd down action at the least. Once Najee is in football shape, the bigger unknown is Hampton IMO. He looks like an NFL back and Harbaugh has said good things about him, but Sundays are different. I have no idea what kind of football shape Najee's in at this point. It doesn't matter what you're doing on the side, once you put on pads, it's just different.

 

[Bronco Billy]

This thread is full of Hampton supporters wish-casting ill will on Najee. Najee is cleared for contact. He may be blind in one eye, or that eye might work perfectly by now. We don't know. I'm sure he had a traumatic experience either way. Maybe he had burns and cuts. Maybe he had a detached retina. Maybe his eye is gone. Lots of what ifs, but LA hasn't cut him so I expect him to be fine.

Now, Hampton's value got pretty inflated and Najee's value got pretty deflated towards the end of the draft season. Where that adds significant risk and little upside related to draft position for Hampton owners, it adds significant upside value for the Harris drafters. Towards the end of draft season before he was cleared for contact, Harris was almost free.

So I guess that's just to say, Hampton owners might be pretty worried about now so that might explain all the anxious laughter in here.

They didn't pay Najee to sit on his hands and they for sure didn't spend a 1st rounder on Omarion to sit on his. Expect both to get significant work. 50/50 split unless one really shows out or gets injured IMO.

Fair argument. I personally have no dog in this fight. I think when or if Najee returns to full strength, he will be heavily used. The split may largely be determined by how each runner looks. The Chargers expected Gus Edwards to have a larger role last season, too.

Do you expect something close to a 50/50 split right out of the gate Week 1?

Honestly I am not sure. By week 2 if there are no soft tissue issues after ramping it up week 1? Then yes, but week 1? I just don't know. IF he plays I would guess they trust Harris more in pass protection so he'll see some 3rd down action at the least. Once Najee is in football shape, the bigger unknown is Hampton IMO. He looks like an NFL back and Harbaugh has said good things about him, but Sundays are different. I have no idea what kind of football shape Najee's in at this point. It doesn't matter what you're doing on the side, once you put on pads, it's just different.

He’s been in pads for a week and was cleared for full contact yesterday.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

Daniel Popper

https://x.com/danielrpopper/status/1962634703057666373

Najee Harris said he is expects to play against the Chiefs on Friday in Brazil: “I’m ramping up to it.” Did not want to get into any details on what happened in the fireworks accident. Said his vision has not been affected and called the eye injury “superficial.”

This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. If his vision wasn't the problem, what was? I mean, if he plays, he plays, but if he doesn't, it's not because of his eye?

A superficial injury could be as simple as a burn to the eyelid or surrounding area. That could have zero (or minimal) impact on vision.

 

[TheWinz]

Daniel Popper

https://x.com/danielrpopper/status/1962634703057666373

Najee Harris said he is expects to play against the Chiefs on Friday in Brazil: “I’m ramping up to it.” Did not want to get into any details on what happened in the fireworks accident. Said his vision has not been affected and called the eye injury “superficial.”

This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. If his vision wasn't the problem, what was? I mean, if he plays, he plays, but if he doesn't, it's not because of his eye?

A superficial injury could be as simple as a burn to the eyelid or surrounding area. That could have zero (or minimal) impact on vision.

You wouldn't shelve a guy for 2 months because he has an owie. I remember the news that came out July 4th - you woulda swore Najee blew his head off with a stick of dynamite.

 

[ProstheticRGK]

Eye was unwilling to spend much to get Najee, so I missed out. Oh well. I am always learning. Pupil of the game. Perhaps iris-ked too much going blindly in on the Chargers running game without handicapping my odds by adding Najee. We will see. Hindsight is 20/20. I don't really en-vision Najee seeing the field much in the early weeks, but he could explode after that. Najee owners should look forward to the fireworks!

This was excellent.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

Daniel Popper

https://x.com/danielrpopper/status/1962634703057666373

Najee Harris said he is expects to play against the Chiefs on Friday in Brazil: “I’m ramping up to it.” Did not want to get into any details on what happened in the fireworks accident. Said his vision has not been affected and called the eye injury “superficial.”

This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. If his vision wasn't the problem, what was? I mean, if he plays, he plays, but if he doesn't, it's not because of his eye?

A superficial injury could be as simple as a burn to the eyelid or surrounding area. That could have zero (or minimal) impact on vision.

You wouldn't shelve a guy for 2 months because he has an owie. I remember the news that came out July 4th - you woulda swore Najee blew his head off with a stick of dynamite.

There are miles difference between a superficial burn near the eye and an owie. Secondary to the initial burn are the possibility of secondary infection, exposure keratopathy, and orbital compartment syndrome. I'd be worried about secondary infection in practice and on the field with sweat, dirt and other players around. Again, this is all speculation, but it is definitely within the realm of possibility to have a superficial eye/eyelid burn that keeps a player out for 6-8 weeks.

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Daniel Popper

https://x.com/danielrpopper/status/1962634703057666373

Najee Harris said he is expects to play against the Chiefs on Friday in Brazil: “I’m ramping up to it.” Did not want to get into any details on what happened in the fireworks accident. Said his vision has not been affected and called the eye injury “superficial.”

This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. If his vision wasn't the problem, what was? I mean, if he plays, he plays, but if he doesn't, it's not because of his eye?

A superficial injury could be as simple as a burn to the eyelid or surrounding area. That could have zero (or minimal) impact on vision.

You wouldn't shelve a guy for 2 months because he has an owie. I remember the news that came out July 4th - you woulda swore Najee blew his head off with a stick of dynamite.

There are miles difference between a superficial burn near the eye and an owie. Secondary to the initial burn are the possibility of secondary infection, exposure keratopathy, and orbital compartment syndrome. I'd be worried about secondary infection in practice and on the field with sweat, dirt and other players around. Again, this is all speculation, but it is definitely within the realm of possibility to have a superficial eye/eyelid burn that keeps a player out for 6-8 weeks.

It could also have been burns and cuts similar to what guys cutting metal sometimes get when they don't use eye protection. This can be a nasty injury that takes some time to heal. It's also possible the doctors used tarsorrhaphy to facilitate healing and prevent any sort of further complications. I guess we'll find out soon enough, or we won't, but the way Najee has been talking the Chargers might get a beast unleashed. If he truly has a new outlook on life, he may take every carry like it's his last. Or he may be a shell of his former self and flame out in a few weeks. Who really knows lol. So much speculation, so little time...

 

[Jacob's Ladder]

Daniel Popper

https://x.com/danielrpopper/status/1962634703057666373

Najee Harris said he is expects to play against the Chiefs on Friday in Brazil: “I’m ramping up to it.” Did not want to get into any details on what happened in the fireworks accident. Said his vision has not been affected and called the eye injury “superficial.”

This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. If his vision wasn't the problem, what was? I mean, if he plays, he plays, but if he doesn't, it's not because of his eye?

A superficial injury could be as simple as a burn to the eyelid or surrounding area. That could have zero (or minimal) impact on vision.

You wouldn't shelve a guy for 2 months because he has an owie. I remember the news that came out July 4th - you woulda swore Najee blew his head off with a stick of dynamite.

There are miles difference between a superficial burn near the eye and an owie. Secondary to the initial burn are the possibility of secondary infection, exposure keratopathy, and orbital compartment syndrome. I'd be worried about secondary infection in practice and on the field with sweat, dirt and other players around. Again, this is all speculation, but it is definitely within the realm of possibility to have a superficial eye/eyelid burn that keeps a player out for 6-8 weeks.

There's no way this was just a burn near the eye or eyelid, but a burn on the surface of the eyeball with the potential to do cornea damage? His closed eye really makes me believe they used tarsorrhaphy. I find this the most likely explanation. If it were a detached retina I do not believe it would have been called superficial but a firework blowing up in your face could cause it.

 

[TheWinz]

Great stuff, both @InDitkaWeTrust and @Jacob's Ladder thanx

 

[Doubles]

Here’s the interview

I know it’s not funny and I feel bad; but the first second of the video hitting the microphone is hilarious. But you should watch the entire thing. They actually ask him about wearing the sunglasses and if he’s hiding something. I think this could’ve been a traumatic experience for him and/or they are hiding that his eye was severely injured and he isn’t playing week 1. Both can be true. Anything can be true b

 

[Chardo1]

I just wonder, even if healthy, what Najee will bring to the table. If you look beneath the numbers, last year was concerning. His per carry rushing stats were actually the worst of all the RBs on the team. And his usage was even more concerning. His percentage share of carries decreased in the red zone, and decreased even more inside the 5. His TD success rate was below league average. It seems to me that Tomlin thought he had better options. Was Najee already on the decline before the eye injury? Would Chargers have spent a #1 on a RB right after signing him if they were really confident in him?