Chargers place RB Najee Harris on the NFI list following fireworks incident

USA Today

16 hours ago

Najee Harris is beginning his time in Los Angeles on the sidelines.
The Los Angeles Chargers officially placed the running back on the active/non-football injury (NFI) list on July 17 after a fireworks incident left Harris with a superficial eye injury during the early morning hours on July 5.
It's not expected that Harris will be on the list for long, according to Chargers general manager, Joe Hortiz.
"Nothing is set in stone," Hortiz told reporters Wednesday.
Hortiz added that Harris remains in good spirits and noted that the information relayed to the team has been positive.
"We haven't seen him yet, our doctors haven't seen him yet," Hortiz said Wednesday. "He's finishing up his doctors appointments, he'll report today. We'll get our eyes on him.
"Surface-level injury, obviously around the eye, so I'm sure there's bruising and all that. But we haven't seen him," Hortiz continued. "We'll get more clarity when he gets here and our doctors see him, but we're in communication with the doctors there."
Harris was continuing to see doctors at Stanford Hospital – where he received treatment following the incident. Hortiz said that the Chargers director of player health and performance, Marco Zucconi, has been in contract with the running back and his doctors.
Doug Hendrickson, Harris' agent, revealed the injury on July 10 in a statement, putting internet rumors to rest.
"Najee Harris was present at a 4th of July event where a fireworks mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees," Hendrickson said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. "Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident, but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season."
Once cleared by the team, Harris can come off the NFI list and begin practice.
Veterans were schedule to report to Chargers training camp on July 16. The team received an earlier start date thanks to their participation in the preseason's annual Hall of Fame game, which is slated for July 31.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers running back signed with the Chargers in free agency inking a one-year, $5.25 million deal. There is also $4 million in incentive bonuses tied to the contract, bringing the total value to $9.25 million.
What is the non-football injury (NFI) list?
The list is designed for players that have suffered injuries outside of football, or are dealing with a long-term illness. If Harris remains on the list at the end of training camp, he would have to miss the first four games of the regular season.