EL SEGUNDO — Running back Najee Harris is likely to begin training camp on the non-football injury list because of a superficial eye injury suffered during a July 4 fireworks accident in his hometown of Antioch, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said Wednesday afternoon.
Hortiz said Harris’ doctors at Stanford University were in contact with the Chargers’ medical staff, but it was too soon to determine how long one of the team’s prized offseason free-agent acquisitions might be sidelined. Training camp begins Thursday in El Segundo.
Harris signed a one-season, $9.25-million contract with the Chargers in March after rushing for 1,000 yards or more in each of his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was one of the nation’s top high school recruits while at Antioch High before playing at the University of Alabama.
The Chargers expected to know more about Harris’ condition and prognosis after their doctors examined him, which was set for later Wednesday. Harris was still in the Bay Area when Hortiz briefed media on his condition and those of wide receiver Mike Williams and safety Elijah Molden.
“I’m sure there’s bruising and all that, but we still haven’t seen him,” Hortiz said of Harris. “We’ll get more clarity when he gets in to (be examined by) our doctors. We’re in communication with his doctors. Everything that has been relayed to us has been positive. He’ll be here later (Wednesday afternoon).
“Stanford doctors are pretty good, so we feel like he’s in the best hands.”
Williams and Molden were placed on the PUP list earlier this week because of unspecified injuries, but Hortiz said he didn’t expect either player to be sidelined for long. Hortiz said Williams was “working through something small and could be out there any day, and it’s the same with Najee.”
Hortiz said Williams’ injury was an issue that cropped up during spring practices.
“They’re very close,” Hortiz said of the possible returns of Williams, who re-signed with the Chargers after splitting last season with the Steelers and New York Jets, and Molden. “They could be any day. You guys (reporters) could come out one day and they’re not here and the next day they’ll be here.”
Hortiz also updated reporters on the status of wide receiver Tre Harris, the Chargers’ second-round draft pick. Harris is one of 30 second-round selections who have not signed their rookie deals over issues related to contract guarantees. Harris hadn’t reported to camp as of Wednesday.
It’s anticipated that there will be a domino effect once one of the 30 unsigned rookies agrees to his deal. Hortiz couldn’t venture a guess when that might be, but he said he hoped Harris would sign sooner rather than later because “practice is vital for everyone, not just him, everybody.”
“There’s a reason we come to camp, and you want to hit the ground running,” Hortiz said on the eve of his and coach Jim Harbaugh’s second Chargers training camp. “One day missed, you know, it affects everyone differently. But, certainly, you want guys out there practicing. Hopefully, we have him out here soon.”
Left tackle Rashawn Slater reported on time along with the Chargers’ other veterans Wednesday. Hortiz said negotiations on a lucrative contract extension for Slater, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, continued but declined to reveal specifics in keeping with his usual method of operation.
“We’re having good conversations,” Hortiz said. “So, we’re working through it.”
Slater is signed through the upcoming season, the final year of his five-year rookie contract, with a guaranteed salary of more than $19 million, according to the website overthecap.com. Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers has the highest average annual salary of any left tackle at more than $27 million.
A new contract for Slater could be in that ballpark when it’s completed.
In the past, under the regime of former GM Tom Telesco, the Chargers completed extensions for their top players in due time. Quarterback Justin Herbert signed his extension on the eve of training camp in 2023 and safety Derwin James Jr. agreed to his new deal about one week into camp one year earlier.
“Like any high-level negotiation … they just take time,” said Hortiz, who expects Slater to practice with his teammates Thursday. “Every conversation has been great, both sides. We’re making progress and feel good about the progress. I think it’s just the way it goes with (some) contracts.”
