After losing Najee Harris to an injury that will probably keep him out for a few games this upcoming season, it may lead to a possible trade for another athlete. According to breaking news, the Los Angeles Chargers might start training camp without their starting running back after suffering an eye injury from a firework incident, which leaves a dent in their depth chart. Harris was supposed to be their main contributor for the run game before drafting 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton, who will likely compete for the full-time starting duties. However, the Chargers are placing Harris on the NFI list, which requires him to miss at least four regular-season games, but the team does not anticipate him missing any playing time at all during the 2025 campaign.
If they don’t see much out of Harris for the next few months, it could lead to a possible trade of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. Originally selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the former Clemson product lost a starting job with the Jaguars due to the emergence of Tank Bigsby. With a new culture in Jacksonville, there have been concrete rumors surrounding Etienne in a possible trade scenario. It’s easy to see the fit he would have with the Chargers; he has the speed that head coach Jim Harbaugh would want to see in his run game and could boost this entire backfield department all-around.
Najee Harris Injury Could Lead To Possible Travis Etienne Trade
Other Possible Fits
Washington Commanders
Even though the Washington Commanders have finally been investing in their defense after signing Von Miller, it’s not too late for the team to get another offensive weapon. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has the right tools to win a Super Bowl as long as Terry McLaurin gets a new deal, but the running back unit needs a massive upgrade. Between Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, the Commanders are better off getting Etienne as a reliable backfield piece, who is looking for more reps and could easily fit the mold in a championship team.
Dallas Cowboys
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have one of the worst running back units in the league, even though they have known names like Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. They’re past their prime at this stage in their career and 2025 draft pick Jaydon Blue is probably the only one in this unit that has the most upside to become the full-time starter for this run offense. However, the time is ticking for Dak Prescott, and the team needs to give him a fast, efficient running back, and Etienne could fill the shoes.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints might have one of the best running backs in Alvin Kamara, but he is aging and doesn’t have a ton of years of production left. Despite signing Cam Akers, he’s more of a backup who probably won’t make it past this season on the Saints. Etienne has the biggest upside in this situation and could one day take over this run offense, ran by head coach Kellen Moore.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in a unique backfield situation, as the expectation was that Isiah Pacheco was going to be the long-term starter for this running back room. However, he’s on the hot seat, and if they don’t see any improvement this season from him, they should attempt to trade for Etienne to give them a solid starter while Elijah Mitchell backs up this unit temporarily.
The post Latest Chargers Injury Could Lead To Possible Blockbuster Trade appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.