- Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris is out for the season after tearing his Achilles.
- Harris suffered the non-contact injury during the team’s Week 3 victory over the Denver Broncos.
- Rookie Omarion Hampton will continue in his role as the Chargers’ starting running back.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ initial fears were confirmed Monday.
Running back Najee Harris tore his Achilles and is out for the season, according to Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh.
Harris suffered the Achilles injury during the second quarter of the Chargers’ 23-20 Week 3 victory against the Denver Broncos. He went down with a non-contact injury in the backfield during a pass play and immediately grabbed his lower leg.
The Chargers initially ruled him out of the game with an ankle injury but Harbaugh updated Harris’ diagnosis after Sunday’s win.
Harris’ injury puts an end to his impressive streak of playing in all of the first 71 regular-season games of his career.
The fifth-year running back was initially drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. He started 68 straight regular-season games for the Steelers.
The Chargers signed Harris in March. He sustained a superficial eye injury during a fireworks accident during the offseason. The injury caused him to miss all of training camp.
Omarion Hampton to continue role as starting running back
The rookie is the top running back on the Chargers’ depth chart. He’s started the first three games of the season.
Hampton is coming off the best game of his young career in which he produced 129 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown during the Chargers’ Week 3 victory.
“It feels amazing to go out there with the guys and get a win,” Hampton said to USA TODAY Sports after the win versus Denver. “I feel like we all executed well and played to the last whistle.”
The three-yard rushing touchdown Hampton scored Sunday was the first of his career. The Chargers 2025 first-round pick running back told USA TODAY Sports the Chargers saved the football from the rushing TD for him.
With Harris out for the remainder of the season, the Chargers are hoping Hampton builds on his Week 3 performance and reaches paydirt a lot more this season.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
