Chargers running back Najee Harris sustained an Achilles injury on Sunday is expected to be out for the rest of the season.
First-round pick Omarion Hampton will step into the starting role, but head coach Jim Harbaugh plans to add depth at the position.
Harris went down in the second quarter of the Week 3 win against Denver with a non-contact injury to his left leg. He exited the field on a cart and his status to return was announced as questionable before he was ruled out for the remainder of the game coming out of halftime.
Hampton had 19 carries and 129 yards from scrimmage with a touchdown in Sunday’s 23-20 victory over the Broncos.
Harbaugh said he wasn’t “surprised” but also wants to make it a priority to keep his rising top back fresh. Hassan Haskins played only six snaps on Sunday and didn’t have a carry.
“Running back is an incredibly tough position. The way he’s fought and picked up the offense, we’re asking a lot of him, especially as a rookie,” Harbaugh said.
Running backs Kimani Vidal and Amar Johnson are currently on the Chargers’ practice squad.
Harris had six carries for 28 yards in the game, with the 27-year-old gaining 61 yards on 15 carries in three games in his first season with the Chargers. He also has three receptions for 25 yards this season.
In five career seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2021-24) and Chargers, he has 4,373 yards on 1,112 carries with 28 touchdowns. He also has 183 receptions for 1,174 yards and six TDs.
Harris was a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season of 2021 after he was a first-round draft pick by the Steelers out of Alabama.
The Chargers (3-0) go on the road Sunday to face the New York Giants (0-3).
