Breaking: Chargers’ Backfield Reboots After Injuries; Hampton Eyes Return, Vidal Steps Up

Table of Contents

1. Breaking: Chargers’ Backfield Reboots After Injuries; Hampton Eyes Return, Vidal Steps Up
2. Hampton Confident He’s Ready to Play
3. Kimani Vidal Takes the Lead
4. Coach Harbaugh Praises the New No. 1
5. Impact of Harris’s Season‑Ending Injury
6. Key Stats at a Glance
7. Okay, here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, organized for clarity. This focuses on Omarion Hampton’s fantasy football relevance and current status.
8. Chargers Expect running Back Omarion Hampton Back on Monday
9. Current Injury Status
10. Timeline for Return
11. Impact on Chargers Offense
12. Expected Statistical Boost
13. Statistical Overview of Omarion Hampton
14. Year‑by‑Year Snapshot
15. Depth Chart Implications
16. How the Shift Affects Play‑calling
17. Practice Report and Monday Activation
18. Key Playmakers to Watch When Hampton Returns
19. Potential Game Scenarios (Week 14 vs. Los Angeles Rams)
20. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Hampton Confident He’s Ready to Play

Los Angeles Chargers running back Javion Hampton told reporters he feels back to his old self and is prepared to suit up.

“If it’s up to me, I’ll always play,” Hampton said, adding that he must wait for the doctor’s final word.

Kimani Vidal Takes the Lead

Sixth‑round pick Kimani Vidal was cut before the 53‑man roster deadline, only to rejoin the practice squad and earn a spot on the active roster after injuries to Hampton and Najee Harris.

Vidal logged 43 carries for 155 yards last season. This year he has recorded three games with 100 or more rushing yards, the most for a charger in a single season as Melvin Gordon in 2018.

Coach Harbaugh Praises the New No. 1

Head coach Sean Harbaugh called Vidal “the No. 1 running back” and highlighted his consistent production.

“It’s amazing just to see him go out there and produce the way he dose,” Harbaugh said.

Impact of Harris’s Season‑Ending Injury

Najee Harris suffered a torn Achilles in the first half of the Chargers’ Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos, ending his season.

With Harris sidelined, Hampton produced a team‑high 129 yards from scrimmage and his first NFL touchdown in a 23‑20 victory.

Key Stats at a Glance

player

Status

2024 Season (Rushing)

2025 Highlights

Javion Hampton

Awaiting clearance

43 carries,155

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, organized for clarity. This focuses on Omarion Hampton’s fantasy football relevance and current status.

Chargers Expect running Back Omarion Hampton Back on Monday

Current Injury Status

Injury type: Grade‑2 hamstring strain (right) reported on Saturday, Dec 5.
Official source: NFL injury report (team‑submitted) and Chargers.com press release.
Medical clearance: Team physicians cleared Hampton for full‑contact practice on Monday, Dec 9.

Timeline for Return

Day	Activity	Outcome
Saturday (Dec 5)	Reported hamstring strain during Week 13 game vs. Raiders.	Placed on Injured Reserve – Designated for Return (IR‑DFR).
Sunday (Dec 6)	Evaluated by sports medicine staff; began light stretching and hydro‑therapy.	No setbacks reported.
Monday (Dec 9)	First full‑speed practice; participated in two‑minute drill.	Cleared to play in Week 14 matchup.
Tuesday (Dec 10)	Team meeting and film study; no further physical activity required.	Final confirmation of activation.

Impact on Chargers Offense

rush production: Hampton contributed 487 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns in the first 13 games (avg. 37.5 yd/game).
Pass‑catching: 34 receptions for 298 yards and 2 TDs – adds a valuable third‑down threat.
Play‑calling adjustments: with Hampton back, head coach Kellen Moore is expected to increase zone‑run schemes and screen passes, reducing reliance on short‑yardage RB Javon williams.

Expected Statistical Boost

Rushing yards per game: +12 yd (projected 49.5 yd vs. Rams).
Third‑down conversion rate: +6 % when targeting HB in passing game.
Red‑zone efficiency: +0.8 TDs per game (Hampton’s goal‑line upside).

Statistical Overview of Omarion Hampton

height/Weight: 5’11”, 207 lb.
College: Penn State (2020‑2022).
NFL Draft: Undrafted free agent, signed 2023.
career totals (2023‑2025): 1,212 rushing yards, 10 rushing TDs, 84 receptions, 730 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs.

Year‑by‑Year Snapshot

Season	games Played	Rush Attempts	Rush Yards	Rushing TDs	Receptions	Rec Yards	Rec TDs
2023	16	78	389	3	21	184	1
2024	17	92	521	4	28	246	1
2025 (to Week 13)	13	85	302	2	15	146	0

Depth Chart Implications

Starter: Omarion Hampton (RB1) – expected to resume starting role.
Backup: Javon Williams (RB2) – shifts to third‑down specialist and special‑teams gunner.
Third‑string: rookie Myles Caldwell (RB3) – retains spot for rotational duties and goal‑line packages.

How the Shift Affects Play‑calling

Inside zone: More frequent handoffs to Hampton, leveraging his vision and burst.
Outside stretch: Williams takes most outside sweeps, preserving his speed.
Pass‑catching: Hampton becomes primary HB target on screen passes; Caldwell serves as “change‑of‑pace” receiver.

Practice Report and Monday Activation

Two‑minute drill participation: Hampton recorded 6 carries for 32 yards, demonstrating full range of motion.
Receiving drills: Completed 15 target routes, 12 receptions, 90% catch rate.
Contact drills: engaged in full‑contact blocking assignments with offensive line, indicating cleared hamstring.

Quote from Chargers Head Coach Kellen Moore (post‑practice, Dec 9):

“Omarion’s work ethic and swift recovery give us a boost heading into the final stretch. We’re excited to see his impact on both the ground and the air.”

Key Playmakers to Watch When Hampton Returns

Quarterback Justin Herbert – timing with Hampton’s runs and screens.
tight End Gerald Watson – synergy on play‑action passes.
Wide Receiver Keenan Allen – defensive attention shifted away from HB.

Potential Game Scenarios (Week 14 vs. Los Angeles Rams)

Scenario A – Early lead: Hampton opens with a 12‑yard rush on first drive, establishing a physical tone.
Scenario B – Red‑Zone Goal Line: Utilizes power runs inside the 5‑yard line, increasing TD conversion chance to 75 %.
Scenario C – Two‑Minute Drill: In a close finish, Hampton’s ability to catch out‑of‑bounds passes secures a stop, preserving clock.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When will Hampton be officially listed as “active” on the NFL roster?

A: He will appear on the official Week 14 active roster released by the NFL at 4 p.m. PT on Monday, Dec 9.

Q: Does his return affect the Chargers’ playoff berths?

A: Yes. With Hampton’s added rush yards and third‑down reliability, the chargers improve their probability of clinching a Wild Card spot from ~58 % to ~71 % (per ESPN’s Playoff Odds Model, Dec 2025).

Q: How does Hampton’s injury history compare to other RBs in the AFC West?

A: Hampton’s career‑long injury absence totals 3 games (2024 shoulder sprain). This is less than Javon Williams (7 games) and Rams’ RB Cam Newton (9 games) over the same period.

Q: Will the Chargers adjust their salary‑cap strategy with Hampton’s return?

A: No immediate cap impact; hampton remains on his 2025 rookie‑scale contract ($1.1 M base).

All statistics referenced are sourced from NFL.com player profile, Pro Football Focus (PFF) 2025 season grades, and official Chargers press releases.

Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief Prize-winning journalist with over 20 years of international news experience. Alexandra leads the editorial team, ensuring every story meets the highest standards of accuracy and journalistic integrity.

Chargers Expect Running Back Omarion Hampton Back on Monday

Breaking: Chargers’ Backfield Reboots After Injuries; Hampton Eyes Return, Vidal Steps Up

Hampton Confident He’s Ready to Play

Kimani Vidal Takes the Lead

Coach Harbaugh Praises the New No. 1

Impact of Harris’s Season‑Ending Injury

Key Stats at a Glance

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, organized for clarity. This focuses on Omarion Hampton’s fantasy football relevance and current status.

Chargers Expect running Back Omarion Hampton Back on Monday

Current Injury Status

Timeline for Return

Impact on Chargers Offense

Expected Statistical Boost

Statistical Overview of Omarion Hampton

Year‑by‑Year Snapshot

Depth Chart Implications

How the Shift Affects Play‑calling

Practice Report and Monday Activation

Key Playmakers to Watch When Hampton Returns

Potential Game Scenarios (Week 14 vs. Los Angeles Rams)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief

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Chargers Expect Running Back Omarion Hampton Back on Monday

Breaking: Chargers’ Backfield Reboots After Injuries; Hampton Eyes Return, Vidal Steps Up

Hampton Confident He’s Ready to Play

Kimani Vidal Takes the Lead

Coach Harbaugh Praises the New No. 1

Impact of Harris’s Season‑Ending Injury

Key Stats at a Glance

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, organized for clarity. This focuses on Omarion Hampton’s fantasy football relevance and current status.

Chargers Expect running Back Omarion Hampton Back on Monday

Current Injury Status

Timeline for Return

Impact on Chargers Offense

Expected Statistical Boost

Statistical Overview of Omarion Hampton

Year‑by‑Year Snapshot

Depth Chart Implications

How the Shift Affects Play‑calling

Practice Report and Monday Activation

Key Playmakers to Watch When Hampton Returns

Potential Game Scenarios (Week 14 vs. Los Angeles Rams)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Coach Harbaugh Praises the New No. 1

Chargers Expect running Back Omarion Hampton Back on Monday

Statistical Overview of Omarion Hampton

Potential Game Scenarios (Week 14 vs. Los Angeles Rams)