Chargers’ Najee Harris likely to start camp on NFI after fireworks-related eye injury

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris will likely begin training camp on the non-football injury list, general manager Joe Hortiz said Wednesday.

Harris injured his eye in a July 4 fireworks accident. Harris’ agent, Doug Hendrickson, said in a statement last week that the injury is “superficial.” No one with the Chargers organization has seen Harris since the injury, according to Hortiz.

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“The plan is to probably put him on NFI,” Hortiz said, “but nothing is set in stone.”

Harris is expected to report to The Bolt, the Chargers’ facility, later Wednesday. Veterans reported for training camp earlier in the day. The Chargers will hold their first training camp practice Thursday morning.

Hortiz said Harris has been receiving treatment from doctors at the Stanford Medical Center. The accident occurred in Harris’ Bay Area hometown of Antioch, Calif. Hortiz said it is a “surface-level injury, obviously around the eye so I’m sure there’s bruising and all that.

“We’ll get more clarity when he gets in and our doctors see him,” Hortiz added. “But we’re in communication with the doctors there and everything that’s been relayed to us has been positive.”

Hortiz said he has spoken with Harris, and the Chargers determined it was best for Harris to remain with the doctors who were initially treating the injury. The Chargers’ medical staff, including director of player health, wellness and performance Marco Zucconi, has been receiving regular updates from Harris’ doctors, according to Hortiz.

“We felt like, hey, you’re there with those doctors, they’re great, get everything cleared up there,” Hortiz said. “Because we could have brought him back here, but let’s take care of the medical part with the experts up there, and our doctors know them well and are highly complimentary of those doctors. Stanford doctors are going to be pretty good. So we feel like he’s in the best hands right now.”

Hortiz said Harris was in “good spirits” when he spoke with the running back. But, Hortiz added, “there’s another layer to it.”

“His friend was severely injured,” Hortiz said. “And so I think the concern really was for his friend. The moment he told me, I was thinking about his friend. When I talked to him, he said he was going to be good. I was more concerned about his buddy.”

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Hortiz said he was initially worried after hearing of the accident. He then spoke with Hendrickson, who “calmed” him down about the severity of the injury. Harris signed a one-year contract with the Chargers in March.

“When it happens out here on the field, you know what it is,” Hortiz said. “There’s a little bit of unknown (with this injury), and you hate to see it. But hopefully he heals quick.”

• Rookie receiver Tre’ Harris has not reported for camp, Hortiz said. Harris is one of 30 second-round picks across the league who have not yet signed their rookie contracts. Rookie wages are set in stone. The guaranteed money is not. In May, the Houston Texans signed Jayden Higgins, the second pick of the second round (No. 34) to a fully guaranteed deal. A day later, the Cleveland Browns signed Caleb Schwesinger, the No. 33 pick, to a fully guaranteed deal. Those two contracts have created a standoff between teams and second-round picks.

Harris was the No. 55 pick. It is highly unlikely that he will get a fully guaranteed deal considering his draft position. But the Chargers were also the first team to report to camp, and the players have to be unified to force any movement. The expectation is that all 29 other unsigned second-round picks will hold out from their respective camps. And it will be a waiting game to see which player signs first.

Hortiz offered no timeline on when he expects a deal with Harris to get done.

“I wish I could put a crystal ball on it,” Hortiz said. “I hope it’s done soon. I hope he gets out here in practice. Practice is vital for everyone — not just him, everybody. There’s a reason we come to camp. You want to hit the ground running Week 1, and every day missed, it affects everyone differently, but certainly you want guys out here practicing. Hopefully we have him out here soon.”

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How does this end? Hortiz put it simply: “Somebody’s got to sign.” As soon as a player signs for less than a fully guaranteed deal, that will create the framework of a scale for the other unsigned second-round picks.

“I get it on both sides,” Hortiz said. “I’m not mad. It’s the business side of it.”

• Left tackle Rashawn Slater reported for camp Wednesday, according to Hortiz. Slater is in the final year of his deal, and he and the Chargers remain in extension negotiations. Hortiz said he expects Slater to practice.“Having good conversations,” Hortiz said. “Like any high-level negotiation … they just take time. But every conversation has been great, both sides. So we’re making progress and feel good about the progress we’re making.”

• The Chargers placed receiver Mike Williams on the physically unable to perform list earlier this week. Hortiz said Williams is dealing with “something small” he sustained during spring practices. “He could be out there any day,” Hortiz said of Williams.

(Photo: Ric Tapia / Getty Images)

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