With Najee Harris done for the season, Omarion Hampton set to see bigger Chargers role
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- Chargers running back Najee Harris suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during Sunday’s victory over Denver at SoFi Stadium.
- The injury leaves rookie Omarion Hampton expected to shoulder a significantly larger role in the Chargers’ backfield moving forward.
- Harris, who had overcome an offseason eye injury from a fireworks accident, was carted off unable to bear weight.
On a play-action pass, Chargers running back Najee Harris crumpled to the turf before the fake handoff could fully develop, immediately grabbing his left ankle and tossing aside his helmet in pain.
Needing assistance, trainers helped Harris to the sideline, as he was unable to put any weight on his leg, before he was carted to the locker room in the second quarter of a 23-20 win over the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.
Harris, who spent the lead-up to his first season in L.A. recovering from an offseason eye injury in a fireworks accident, was expected to be a key piece of a one-two punch with rookie Omarion Hampton.
Justin Herbert and the Chargers overcome a disastrous start to the second half in a 23-20 comeback win over the Broncos that moves them to 3-0 on the season.
Now, he will be sidelined for the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon, coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday.
“It’s unfortunate that that occurred ... a rough start. He was playing good. I mean, he’s really good,” Harbaugh said. “We got good football players ... guys will step into roles and, you know, be at their best when their best is needed most.”
Speaking with a somber tone on Sunday, Harbaugh said he met with Harris at halftime and described the running back’s demeanor as “cold-blooded,” adding that he told him: “You’ll be back, kid.”
The injury appeared clear on film, according to Dr. Dan Ginader, physical therapist and author of “The Pain-Free Body,” who reviewed video of the play.
“When looking at the calf of the back plant leg, you can see the muscle sort of ‘jump’ which is indicative of a complete tear of the Achilles,” Ginader said. “Players who have suffered this injury often describe it as being hit in the heel with a shovel. ... When you see the muscle jump and see the player crumble to the floor, you can be pretty sure it’s a complete tear.”
Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack is expected to miss a few weeks after sustaining a dislocated elbow in the team’s win over the Raiders on Monday.
Before going down, Harris had been featured early Sunday, carrying six times for 28 yards. Durable throughout his career, he had appeared in all 71 games across five NFL seasons before the injury.
The earliest Harris could return is about eight months, Ginader said, though most players don’t feel fully themselves “until at least 12 months” post-surgery. For a skill player, he added, “it takes longer to be able to come back at full force.”
With Harris out, Hampton is expected to shoulder a bigger role moving forward. Hampton, who calls Harris a mentor, admitted the loss stings.
“It definitely hurts,” Hampton said.
