Chargers' Greg Roman expects RB rotation: One-back offense has gone way of 'prehistoric creatures'

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Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris participated in drills for the first time in training camp on Tuesday following an offseason eye injury.

The veteran running back has been on the non-football injury list since before training camp. Harris’ agent, Doug Hendrickson, revealed that the back suffered what he termed a “superficial eye injury” after a July 4 fireworks mishap. The Chargers have not disclosed the specifics of the injury.

A social media post last week showed Harris with his left eye closed, but coach Jim Harbaugh said that the running back can open the affected eye.

The Chargers brass has been noncommittal on whether Harris will be available Week 1.

If Harris can’t go, rookie running back Omarion Hampton profiles as the workhorse. However, offensive coordinator Greg Roman said, regardless of who is available, he expects to use multiple backs.

“There will be rotation no matter what happens,” Roman said on Tuesday, via Alex Insdorf. “The day of the one running back taking every rep, it’s kinda gone the way of the prehistoric creatures.”

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A few of the top backs take on a hefty workload, but more often, clubs have used a committee to avoid a workload that can grind one runner into a pulp. On the flip side, it’s easy for a coach to suggest a committee approach in August when battles for jobs are still being forged. It’s quite another to take out a running back when he’s clearly leaps-and-bounds better than his replacement in a pivotal division game in November.

As we sit on Aug. 13, it’s fair to assume Hampton is in line for the bulk of the workload to open the season — and at least until Harris is full-go and gets in football shape. If Harris isn’t ready by Week 1, the question is who might share the reps. Kimani Vidal, Raheim Sanders, Hassan Haskins and Nyheim Miller-Hines are competing for the third-string spot.

“Don’t have to make that decision right now,” Roman said. “Just keep working, keep evaluating, keep trying to get better, see how it all fits together when the decision needs to be made.”

How “it all fits” will have a lot to do with whether Harris is ready to play Week 1.

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