Harris has new backfield competition after the Chargers drafted Omarion Hampton at No. 22 overall Thursday night. At 6-foot, 221 pounds, Hampton is smaller than Harris but larger than most NFL lead backs, and with 4.46 combine speed to boot. It may not be long before he challenges Harris for the starting job, although the veteran almost certainly would retain a role in that scenario, if only for pass blocking and to help keep Hampton fresh. Harris signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract in March, with all of that money guaranteed and another $4 million available via incentives. Compared to other RBs, that can either be viewed as low-end-starter money or the top of the market for backups.
Unlock the latest Los Angeles Chargers news — direct to your inbox.
Status
ACTIVELatest Najee Harris news
Team
Los Angeles Chargers
Birthdate
3/9/1998 (27)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'1", 232 lbs
Draft Info
2021: Rd 1; Pk (PIT)
Birthplace
Martinez, CA, USA
Position
RB
College
Alabama
Experience
4 seasons
Career History
Pittsburgh Steelers
2021-2025
(4 seasons)
Harris has new backfield competition after the Chargers drafted Omarion Hampton at No. 22 overall Thursday night. At 6-foot, 221 pounds, Hampton is smaller than Harris but larger than most NFL lead backs, and with 4.46 combine speed to boot. It may not be long before he challenges Harris for the starting job, although the veteran almost certainly would retain a role in that scenario, if only for pass blocking and to help keep Hampton fresh. Harris signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract in March, with all of that money guaranteed and another $4 million available via incentives. Compared to other RBs, that can either be viewed as low-end-starter money or the top of the market for backups.
The Chargers are slated to sign Harris to a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. It's worth up to $9.25 million. With J.K. Dobbins' contract expired and Gus Edwards recently released, the Chargers were in dire need of a running back. They've found one in Harris, who Chargers OC Greg Roman knows well from their time together in the AFC North. Since being selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 Draft, Harris has started all 68 regular-season games, a rarity for running backs in this day and age. While Harris lacks big-play ability and efficiency and doesn't do much in the pass game, he makes up for it with toughness and availability. Harris averaged a subpar 3.9 yards per carry on 1,097 rushing attempts in four seasons with the Steelers and rushed for over 1,000 yards on each occasion. Look for Harris to be coach Jim Harbaugh's new lead back in Los Angeles.
Harris rushed the ball six times for 17 yards in Saturday's 28-14 loss to the Ravens. He added three receptions on three targets for 41 yards. Harris led the Pittsburgh backfield in every statistic, though it's difficult to have many takeaways from this game, as the Steelers were down multiple scores for over half of the game. In part due to game script, he was unable to get going on the ground, but he showed some ability as a pass catcher -- highlighted by a 21-yard catch and run late in the third quarter. Harris is now set to enter free agency for the first time in his career, and his market will be intriguing to watch. He has lacked explosive playmaking ability for most of his career, though he's topped 250 carries in each of his four pro seasons and has proven the ability to lead a backfield.
Harris rushed the ball 12 times for 36 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 19-17 loss to the Bengals. He added four catches on five targets for 20 yards. Harris has seen his role diminish in recent weeks, though he operated as Pittsburgh's clear lead back Saturday. His stat line wasn't particularly strong, though he did manage long runs of 11 and 10 yards on a drive early in the second quarter, which he later capped with a one-yard touchdown. Harris was forced to the sideline for part of the fourth quarter while being checked for a concussion, but he was able to return and should be ready to suit up for a postseason matchup against either the Ravens or Texans. He concludes the regular season with 1,043 rushing yards, his highest yardage total on the ground since 2021.
Harris (head) returned to Saturday night's game against the Bengals, Amanda Godsey of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports. Harris briefly left to be checked for a possible concussion, first going to the blue medical tent before then going to the locker room. Harris apparently was able to pass all the tests, gaining clearance to return late in the fourth quarter.
Harris exited Saturday night's game against the Bengals with a head injury and is being evaluated for a concussion, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Harris exited midway through the fourth quarter and went to the blue medical tent on the sideline to be checked for a possible concussion. He later had his helmet removed and was taken to the locker room for further evaluation. Prior to leaving, Harris rushed 12 times for 36 yards and one touchdown. He added three catches for 22 yards on four targets. Jaylen Warren has taken over lead-back duties with Harris in the locker room.
Harris carried the ball 13 times for 74 yards in Wednesday's 29-10 loss to Kansas City. He caught two of four targets for seven yards. Jaylen Warren led the Pittsburgh backfield with 112 scrimmage yards and also had a first-quarter TD run wiped out by a holding penalty, but it was Harris who led the team in rushing. It was Harris' best performance on the ground since Week 13 against the Bengals, and it put him over 1,000 rushing yards on the season -- the fourth straight campaign he's reached that milestone. Harris will look to finish the regular season in style in a Week 18 rematch with Cincinnati.
Harris rushed the ball nine times for 42 yards in Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Ravens. He did not record a catch on one target. Harris took a surprising secondary role to Jaylen Warren in the contest, as he had nine touches compared to Warren's 17. It's unclear whether that was due to his recent ineffectiveness -- he's averaged only 3.2 yards per carry since Week 10 -- or because of a miscue in Pittsburgh's Week 15 loss to the Eagles. Regardless of the explanation, Harris has 16 total touches in his last two games, making it difficult to trust his role in a Week 17 showdown with the Chiefs.
Harris rushed the ball six times for 14 yards in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles. He added one reception on one target for seven yards. There was limited volume for all skill-position players in the Pittsburgh offense, as the team ran only 41 total offensive plays. Even taking that into account, Harris had a miserable showing as he averaged just 2.3 yards per attempt while also losing a pitch late in the third quarter with the Steelers threatening to score. While Russell Wilson was technically charged with the fumble, Harris did not get a touch for the rest of the game. It's unlikely that usage carries over into a pivotal Week 16 matchup against Baltimore, though Harris has topped 65 rushing yards only once in his last six contests, making him an unreliable fantasy option even with a regular amount of touches.