LA Chargers RB Najee Harris is out with an eye injury (July 2025), so the team signed Nyheim Hines. How will this shakeup impact the 2024 NFL season?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Welcome to the Jim Harbaugh era, where nothing is predictable. Just as Chargers fans were getting comfortable with a one-two punch of Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton, a bizarre off-field injury has thrown the running back room into a state of flux. The Chargers responded Tuesday by signing veteran Nyheim Hines, a dynamic player attempting a comeback after two years away from the game, creating a fascinating and high-stakes situation as training camp unfolds.
He's a five-tool linebacker.
The catalyst for the backfield shuffle is Najee Harris's unfortunate eye injury, sustained during a July 4th fireworks mishap. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed the severity is enough to put Harris's training camp availability in serious doubt. With Harris expected to start on the non-football injury list and fellow rookie Raheim Sanders also missing practice, the Chargers' carefully laid plans were suddenly up in smoke. Harris was brought in to be the thunder to Omarion Hampton's lightning, a veteran presence to guide the rookie. Now, his absence leaves a massive void in leadership and experience.
To plug the gap, the Chargers signed Nyheim Hines to a two-year deal following a successful tryout. Hines is a compelling story in his own right, having missed two full seasons after tearing his ACL in a 2023 jet ski accident. Before the injury, he was a versatile weapon for the Colts and Bills, amassing over 2,900 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns, including four on returns. Now 28, he brings much-needed experience and special teams prowess. He'll compete for a roster spot against Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal, and Jaret Patterson, but his signing is a clear bet on his ability to recapture his old form.
With Harris and Sanders sidelined, the spotlight shines directly on first-round pick Omarion Hampton. The rookie from North Carolina is no longer just learning the ropes; he's now the presumptive RB1 heading into camp. The Chargers invested a top pick in Hampton with the expectation that he would be the centerpiece of Greg Roman's run-heavy offense, but perhaps not this soon. The pressure is on for Hampton to adapt quickly and prove he can handle a feature-back workload from day one. His performance in the coming weeks will be one of the most critical storylines for the team's offensive success.
Amidst the running back drama, Coach Harbaugh remains a steady, if intense, presence. Speaking to the media, he praised the competitive atmosphere and also shone a light on other players poised for a leap. He singled out linebacker Daiyan Henley, dubbing him a 'five-tool linebacker' and predicting a breakout season. Harbaugh also acknowledged the team is always scouting talent, referencing a recent tryout for receiver Willie Snead, and took a moment to reflect on the career of Philip Rivers, who officially retired as a Charger. It's a reminder that while one position group is in flux, the entire team-building process under the new regime is in full swing.
The Chargers' 2025 season was always going to be about establishing a new identity under Jim Harbaugh, and the early days of camp have provided an unexpected test of that resolve. The running back situation is far from settled, turning what was a position of perceived stability into the team's biggest question mark. All eyes will be on Omarion Hampton to see if he can carry the load, and on Nyheim Hines to see if his comeback story has a Hollywood ending. The next few weeks aren't just about installing plays; they're about discovering the grit and adaptability that will define this team.
