Jim Harbaugh Gives Up on Najee Harris After Chargers Expected Justin Herbert’s RB to Start vs Chiefs

When Jim Harbaugh met Rich Eisen at pre-broadcast, he didn’t keep the backfield plan under wraps. Harbaugh laid it out that rookie Omarion Hampton will start against the Chiefs. That’s more than a depth chart afterthought; it’s the first time in Najee Harris’ career that he won’t start a game as the starter. For a player who’s strung together four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, the shift is dramatic.

Harbaugh did attempt to lessen the worry. “[Harris] says he’s ready, and he looks ready to go,” he said. “Really hard to predict play counts. He’s going to play football and have at it. That’s kind of the mindset.” Harris has practiced this week following a Fourth of July eye injury that caused him to miss all of training camp. He’s back, but how far is he from playing with full strength? And if he’s not the starting back now, how long will it be before he reclaims that role?

The eye injury kept Harris sidelined for weeks, and he admitted he’s still working his way into football shape. “I’m ramping up to it, just trying to get back,” he said. That opens the door for Hampton, who impressed in preseason with 21 yards on just 4 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt. Harris may still see plenty of touches, but this is no longer his backfield alone.

This is a developing story…..