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The Los Angeles Chargers improved to 5-3 following their 37-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8, but did so without one of their top contributors on offense.
Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton was forced to miss his third straight game after suffering an ankle injury in Week 5.
Hampton was quickly becoming the No. 1 running back for Los Angeles, and a playmaker Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh could rely on. Hampton had accumulated a team-high 314 rushing yards before his injury. His absence is a significant blow to the Chargers’ offense.
With Los Angeles appearing poised to be a contender in the AFC playoff race and Herbert playing at an MVP level, the Chargers will need dynamic players like Hampton to return to full health soon.
Here’s the latest on the Chargers’ rookie running back:
When will Omarion Hampton return?
Hampton is out again in Week 9 with the ankle injury and the earliest he can return is Week 10. The rookie running back was placed on injured reserve after Week 5, which requires him to be sidelined for at least four games.
The Chargers host the Steelers in Week 10 on “Sunday Night Football,” but it remains to be seen if Hampton will be activated for the matchup.
The running back was spotted in a walking boot after the Chargers’ most recent game on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 8 and has not practiced in any capacity since Week 5.
Coach Jim Harbaugh was asked about Hampton’s progress during his Oct. 28 press conference. “Omarion to me looks like he’s getting better every day,” Harbaugh said. “We know he won’t be there this week though, per league rules.”
Hampton is eligible to return to practice next week after missing his fourth game while on IR.
Los Angeles has a bye in Week 12, which could make Week 13 a target date and allow him four extra weeks to rehab and recover. However, there is still a chance Hampton can return to the field before the bye.
The Chargers lost Najee Harris to a torn Achilles tendon at the end of September, which thrust Hampton into a full-time role.
He showed plenty of promise in the near two full games without Harris, topping 120 total yards in each game before his injury.
The Chargers’ offense has been terrific even without Hampton, but they hope their first-round pick can return to action soon.
Chargers RB depth chart
Kimani Vidal has stepped up and led the backfield, rushing for 261 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers’ last three games, and adding 39 receiving yards and a score on eight receptions.
However, the depth at the position is thin with Hampton sidelined. The current RB2 is Hassan Haskins, who missed Week 8 with a hamstring injury, and Jaret Patterson was elevated from the practice squad.
The Chargers face the Tennessee Titans in Week 9. Tennessee has the NFL’s worst-ranked run defense.
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