May 20, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris (22) catches the ball during offseason workouts at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Earlier this summer, Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris had an unfortunate incident over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, injuring his eye in a fireworks mishap.

His agent, Doug Hendrickson, released a statement at the time of the incident.

“Najee Harris was present at a 4th of July event where a fireworks mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees. Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident, but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season.”

While Harris will indeed be available for the start of the season, but it appears that it won’t be in the capacity that he imagined when he signed with the Chargers this offseason.

“HC Harbaugh said Omarion Hampton will start over Najee Harris Friday,” reported Underdog NFL.

Fans reacted to the news on social media.

“I would sure hope they start the dude who can see out of both eyes,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

“Big call, curious to see how Hampton handles that starting role Friday,” another fan added.

“He should start EVERY game over that bum and get a 90/10 workload,” someone else added.

It’ll be interesting to see if Harris ever takes up the same workhorse role that he filled with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

About Qwame Skinner

Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.