Najee Harris is the latest NFL player to get hurt in a Fourth of July fireworks fiasco.
The Chargers running back suffered a superficial eye injury at an Independence Day celebration “mishap,” Harris’ agent Doug Hendrickson told NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
Several other attendees were also injured in the incident.
Harris is still “fully expected” to be ready for the upcoming NFL season, according to Rapoport.
The accident took place during the early hours of July 5 in Antioch, Calif., Bay Area News Group reported, and Harris went to John Muir Hospital in Concord before going to Stanford Hospital.
Harris is from nearby Martinez and went to high school in Antioch.
After the incident, the Antioch Police Department posted on Facebook: “On July 5, at approximately 12:18 a.m., the Antioch Police Department dispatch center received multiple calls reporting an explosion on the 2200 block of Spanos Street. When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered the aftermath of an explosion caused by fireworks.”
Harris, the former Alabama star who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Steelers, signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Chargers this offseason, which is worth up to $9.25 million with incentives.
The 27-year-old rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his four years in Pittsburgh, and he notched 1,043 yards with six touchdowns last season.
He was a Pro-Bowler in his rookie year, 2021, after rushing for 1,200 yards and totaling 10 touchdowns.
Fans on social media immediately drew comparisons between Harris and former Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who famously lost 2 ½ fingers while lighting fireworks at a Fourth of July party in South Florida in 2015.
Former Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson suffered a similar injury on Independence Day that same year, losing two fingers.
There is no indication at this point, though, that Harris had anything to do with the accident other than being in attendance.
