Najee Harris injures left leg, season-ending Achilles feared

Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris was carted off the field and ruled out of Sunday afternoon's game against the Denver Broncos after suffering a noncontact left leg injury in the second quarter at SoFi Stadium, a development that medical observers and team personnel feared could be a season ending Achilles tear. The play occurred with about 5:16 remaining in the first half; Harris collapsed while pushing off his left foot after a fake handoff and immediately grabbed his lower leg in visible pain.

The Chargers initially listed Harris as questionable to return with an ankle injury but later declared him out for the game. Trainers and team medical staff attended to Harris on the field before he was placed on a cart and taken to the locker room. Head coach Jim Harbaugh did not have an immediate update when asked before the start of the third quarter. There has been no official confirmation from the team or independent medical exam of an Achilles rupture as of Sunday evening.

Multiple onlookers and medical commentators said the injury mechanism and slow motion replay strongly suggested an Achilles tear. Former Chargers team physician David Chao characterized the injury...