Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris is expected to be ready for the NFL season after sustaining a “superficial” eye injury during a Fourth of July fireworks mishap, his agent said in a statement via ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
“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.”
Per The Mercury News, the incident occurred at 12:20 a.m. on July 5 in Harris’ hometown of Antioch, California, with a firework explosion injuring multiple people. Harris was reportedly hospitalized going first to John Muir Hospital in Concord then to Stanford Hospital for treatment.
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The mishap will undoubtedly draw comparisons to the incident that cost star pass-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul parts of multiple fingers on the Fourth of July in 2015, but this one fortunately appears to be less serious.
Antioch police told The Mercury News on Thursday they were still investigating the incident and had no other comment. Rumors of a serious eye injury had been previously circulating online, with the statement from Harris’ agent apparently aiming to tamp down concern.
While Harris will reportedly be ready for the season, it’s unclear if the injury will affect his preparation for the season. Chargers training camp starts July 17.
Harris signed a one-year, $9.5 million deal with the Chargers this spring, ending a four-season tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He projects to be the new lead back in a run-heavy Chargers offense with first-round rookie Omarion Hampton, selected 22nd overall, right behind him.
Harris was an iron man for the Steelers, playing 17 games and posting at least 1,000 rushing yards in all four seasons with them. The former first-round pick made a Pro Bowl in his rookie season, though questions about his efficiency prevented him from breaking through as a true star in Pittsburgh.
