The NFL is hoping to start training camp in late July and kick off the regular season as scheduled. The league has been hard at work enforcing protocols to keep players and staff healthy, but there is still some risk with potentially catching the coronavirus.
Chargers cornerback Chris Harris Jr., who spoke with NBC Sport’s Mike Florio, talked about the situation. While he’s not concerned with catching it himself, he’s worried about potentially passing it on to the members of his family.
“With me, I know I can beat it. I know that I can try to fight through it the best that I can. But, it’s just worrying about my four little girls and my wife and my family,” Harris said. “That’s where I have a big issue is not putting them in danger. I don’t want to be the cause of them getting sick or anything from that. That’s where the worry comes from.”
Around this time, Harris, who was signed earlier this offseason after playing with the Broncos for nine seasons, should have already been on the practice field with his new teammates. But the worldwide pandemic has put everything to a halt, making it a bit unorthodox for Harris.
“It’s an uncomfortable situation. I haven’t really gotten to meet my teammates face to face, coaches included or anybody in the organization. That is different,” Harris said. “But I’m excited about it. I feel like you get the most growth when you’re put in uncomfortable situations. So, I’m looking at it that way and taking it as a challenge.”
The time will come eventually for Harris to finally take the field, where he will be joined by elite company. The 30-year old is excited to join a talented defense, which features safety Derwin James and defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.
“When I see Derwin James, I haven’t played with anybody as talented as Derwin James other than Aqib Talib or Champ Bailey,” Harris said “But, nobody like Derwin James in the way that he can mess up the secondary. I’m excited to play with him, Bosa and Ingram, those guys give me familiarity of what Von (Miller) and D(Demarcus) Ware or Von and (Elvis) Dumervil used to mess up the game.”
Eager to clinch the divisional title for the first time in a decade, Harris believes that Los Angeles has the defense to make it happen.