As Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Lions approaches, coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged that there is still no timetable for the return of Harris (eye) to practice, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Harris, who sustained an eye injury as the result of a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July, has been on the active/non-football injury list since July 17, though the running back has been spotted on the field during practice sporting shorts and a t-shirt. Until he's ready to return to drills, however, 2025 first-rounder Omarion Hampton should continue to see added first-team reps. Once Harris is available though, he'll be able to make his case to claim a key backfield role this coming season alongside his highly-touted rookie counterpart.

Harris was placed on the active/non-football injury list by the Chargers on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, Harris, who sustained an eye injury as the result of a fireworks mishap on July Fourth, isn't expected to remain on the list long, according to Chargers GM Joe Hortiz. Once the running back is ready to return to the field, he'll be able to resume practicing, but until then 2025 first-rounder Omarion Hampton figures to see added first-team reps, with Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson and Raheim Sanders also currently in the team's backfield mix.

GM Joe Hortiz said Wednesday that Harris likely will begin training camp on the active/non-football injury list as doctors continue to monitor the eye injury that he suffered during a fireworks incident at a Fourth of July event, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Harris remains in the Bay Area as of Wednesday afternoon but is expected to report to The Bolt in El Segundo, Calif. later in the day. Hortiz noted the Chargers have yet to ascertain the extent of Harris' injury, but his agent has called it a "superficial" one, per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times. Once Harris joins his teammates, L.A. is expected to make the aforementioned transaction, but he'll be able to practice as soon as he passes a physical. How Harris and rookie first-round pick Omarion Hampton fare in training camp and the preseason should determine the breakdown of RB touches between the duo at the start of the regular season.

Harris (eye) isn't expected to miss much time at the start of training camp, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The running back isn't expected to miss any games after suffering an eye injury during a fireworks incident at a 4th of July event. Harris' agent Doug Hendrickson said last week that the injury is "superficial" and won't prevent the running back from being ready for the start of the season. Assuming the reports are accurate and his vision isn't impacted, Harris likely will open the season sharing snaps/touches with Omarion Hampton, the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 Draft. The nature of that split is anyone's guess, with Harris profiling as a jack-of-all-trades while Hampton is likely the more explosive pure runner.

A statement from Harris' agent Doug Hendrickson on Thursday noted that the running back sustained a superficial eye injury stemming from what was described as a "fireworks mishap" during a Fourth of July event, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per the statement, Harris, who signed with the Chargers in March, "is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season." It remains to be seen if the issue will affect Harris' participation in the team's upcoming training camp practices, but when available, the 2021 first-rounder is slated to handle a key role in a Los Angeles backfield that also includes Omarion Hampton, the No. 22 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Harris has new backfield competition after the Chargers drafted Omarion Hampton at No. 22 overall Thursday night.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

Harris briefly left to be checked for a 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.