Chargers Training Camp is off and running.
Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert took the podium at The Bolt on Day 1 of Chargers Training Camp.
Below are three takeaways from their media availability Thursday:
An update on Najee Harris
Harbaugh provided an update on Najee Harris as camp kicked off in El Segundo.
The running back was officially placed on the Non-Football Injury List on Thursday morning after he "sustained a superficial eye injury" during a July 4 fireworks mishap, according to his agent, Doug Hendrickson.
And a day after Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz said he expected the running back to arrive, Harbaugh confirmed he was in the building.
"Najee is here, he's in meetings," Harbaugh said. "It's great to have him."
Hortiz said Harris was seen Wednesday morning by doctors at Stanford and that all information had been relayed to Marco Zucconi, the Chargers Director of Player Health, Wellness & Performance.
While there is no timetable for when Harris can return to action, Harbaugh expressed his appreciation for everyone being back.
"A lot of gratitude that he's here," Harbaugh said. "Gosh, I'm the age of being a parent — I've got kids that are these guys' age. So, just the feeling of having everybody back under the same roof is a good one."
With Harris sidelined, it was first-round pick Omarion Hampton who took over the workload as the top running back during the first practice.
Hampton, who ranked second in college football over his last two years with 3,164 rushing yards, has impressed the coaching staff so far during the offseason program, but has a chance to do even more in the coming weeks.
Harbaugh expressed his excitement to see what Hampton can do with the pads coming on soon, as it will be a big step for the rookie.
"He's been attacking it, hitting it hard," Harbaugh said of Hampton. "Still got some days before we're in pads but I think he's going to be ever better in pads.
"Looked good without them," Harbaugh added. "He's well trained and ready to roll."
Harbaugh fired up for Day 1
There was plenty of buzz and excitement as the Bolts kicked off their first of many training camp practices.
And of course, Harbaugh led the charge with that.
"Just really fired up," Harbaugh said enthusiastically on Thursday.
As fans filled the stands at The Bolt, Harbaugh greeted them as the team took the field for the first practice. He later signed autographs before practice began.
Harbaugh described the day as one filled with a lot of emotions, but ones that are positive.
"It's emotional in a great way," Harbaugh said. "It always is. The first day, 'Boom, here we go.' And mainly I want the players to get the message of that."
That intensity made its way onto the field during practice, as the team seemingly picked up right where they left off from the offseason program.
There's a lot of work to be done from now until the regular season, including a preseason game later this month in Canton, Ohio, but it's all part of the ramp-up process.
"Just build up momentum until finally you're going so fast that you take off and you're soaring," Harbaugh said.
Herbert sports new look
Justin Herbert was seeing red on Thursday morning.
The Chargers quarterback wore red-tinted contacts that are UV protected lenses, making his blue eye look like a different color.
Herbert said after practice that he tried a tinted visor in his helmet a few years ago but didn't like how often he had to clean it.
He began wearing the red-tinted lenses upon reporting to training camp a few days ago and said they improve how he sees the field in bright surroundings. He hopes to wear them during the season but needs to get that OK'd by the league.
"I didn't have to squint nearly as much," he said. "When I stepped into the huddle, I think some of the guys were a little surprised. Think they were like, 'Oh, we're gonna score.'"
