The Los Angeles Chargers scored a big victory on Sunday over the Denver Broncos, 23-20, to improve to 3-0 on the season. Little by little, it looks like they’re developing into a real powerhouse.
However, disaster struck in the second quarter when starting running back Najee Harris went down with a non-contact injury. He had to be carted off the field, and he didn’t return.
It was feared that Harris suffered an Achilles injury, and Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed exactly that following the game.
“#Chargers RB Najee Harris suffered an Achilles injury, coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed,” Ian Rapoport wrote on X. “He’s having imaging now, but with an Achilles, there is not a lot of optimism.”
Read more: Broncos’ Patrick Surtain II Doesn’t Hold Back on Justin Herbert
Harris was signed as a free agent during the offseason to essentially replace the outgoing J.K. Dobbins. He had suffered an eye injury during a Fourth of July mishap, but he was cleared to play for Week 1.
While he went over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had just 33 rushing yards on nine carries in the first two games of this year. He had tallied 28 rushing yards on six carries in Sunday’s game at the time of his injury.
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Perhaps the silver lining of this injury for Los Angeles is that it will open up plenty of opportunities for rookie running back Omarion Hampton. Hampton, the No. 22 pick in April’s NFL draft, was somewhat quiet in his first two games, but on Sunday, he ran for 70 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts and added 59 more yards on six receptions.
Wide receiver Quentin Johnston, who had been considered a disappointment in his first two pro seasons, excelled once again. Versus Denver, he had six catches for 89 yards, while veteran Keenan Allen added 65 yards and one touchdown on seven catches.
Quarterback Justin Herbert didn’t play his best football, but he did throw for 300 yards on 47 attempts, which is evidence that Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman are opening up the playbook to take advantage of his vast talent.
Read more: Browns Predicted to Make Wild Quarterback Decision
Next Sunday, the Chargers will be in Bergen County, N.J., to take on the New York Giants before returning home to host the Washington Commanders at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 5.
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