Chargers' Najee Harris Likely to Open Camp on NFI List After Eye Injury from Fireworks

After suffering an eye injury caused by fireworks on the Fourth of July, Los Angeles Chargers running back could have to miss the start of training camp.

Per The Athletic's Daniel Popper, Chargers general manager Joe Horitz said Wednesday that Harris is likely going to start training camp on the non-football injury list. Popper noted that Harris is expected to report to the Chargers' facilities on Wednesday after receiving treatment from doctors at Stanford Hospital.

While Harris might have to miss some of training camp, his agent said he should be ready to go for the start of the season in September.

"Najee Harris was present at a 4th of July event where a fireworks mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees," agent Doug Hendrickson said in a statement after the incident, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident, but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season."

Similar to the physically unable to perform list, the NFI list is for players who suffer injuries outside of football or are dealing with a long-term illness preventing them from playing.

If Harris is still on the NFI list once the 53-man roster is set at the end of training camp, the Chargers can place him on the reserve/NFI list. If placed on the reserve/NFI list, he will have to miss at least four games, though he won't count against the 53-man roster.

After spending the first four years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Harris signed a one-year deal worth up to $9.25 million with the Chargers in March. The former first-round pick out of Alabama has recorded 1,000 or more rushing yards in each of his first four seasons, including last year when he racked up 1,043 yards and six touchdowns.

The Chargers' backfield struggled a season, recording just 110.7 yards per game, which ranked 17th in the NFL. The addition of Harris, plus rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton, should help give Los Angeles a more balanced attack as it looks to make a deep playoff run.

The hope for the Chargers now is that Harris will recover quickly and return to the field before the team's season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 5.