Najee Harris moved from walking laps to handling footballs at Chargers camp, signaling a hopeful trajectory after a superficial eye injury. The team remains cautious about Week 1, but Harris’ progress opens room for Omarion Hampton to share carries and for third-string contenders to push for reps. Jaret Patterson’s undisclosed injury and limited practice add roster uncertainty behind Hampton, while the Chargers remain locked in a backfield battle that could shape the early-season rotation and fantasy upside.
With Harris trending toward readiness, fantasy managers should monitor daily practice updates and the backfield committee dynamic. The Week 1 opponent, Kansas City, looms as a key stress test for depth and usage. If Harris is limited, Hampton could become a sneaky value play, while Patterson and the other depth candidates offer late-round dart possibilities. The coaching staff’s approach to the third-string spot keeps the competition open into the season’s outset.
The saga underscores how camp precision and injury reporting can impact early fantasy projections. Even as Harris eyes a return, the Chargers’ plan for Week 1 will hinge on how quickly he can exercise live football, and how the team distributes snaps among the backs once he’s cleared. The unfolding depth chart is essential fantasy data in the weeks ahead.
