Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton is “likely” to play Monday Night against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to CBS Sports.
Hampton has been out since Week 5 when he landed on the injured list due to an ankle injury, causing him to miss the next games, while backup Kimani Vidal stepped up into the starting role.
The former first-round pick is now slated to return in Week 14 against the Eagles, a crucial game for the Chargers to win amid the AFC playoff picture.
Per Matt Zenitz, sources say Hampton is “likely” to play on Monday Night Football, bringing some positive news amid uncertainty about whether Justin Herbert will start.
On the season, Hampton has rushed for 314 yards over 66 carries with two touchdowns, along with 136 receiving yards on 20 catches, leading the rookie class until his injury.
Vidal has done an excellent job in relief of Hampton, rushing for 525 yards, including three games with more than 100 yards rushing, including his last effort against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he went for more than 126 yards on the ground.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh loves running the football — at every stop in his career — he has pounded the rock regularly and built his team with capable run-blocking offensive linemen. He used a first-round pick on Hampton out of North Carolina, selecting him No. 22 overall, with the hopes of having him be the bellcow back.
Will Justin Herbert play against the Eagles?
While the Chargers look like they will get one key offensive player back, star quarterback Justin Herbert’s status is up in the air after he broke a bone in his non-throwing hand against the Raiders.
Harbaugh did not say if Herbert would miss any games, though the player seemed confident that he would be on the field Monday.
“I’m treating it as if I’m playing on Monday,” Herbert said. “I think they’re very hopeful for that. So, I think that’s just something that we’ll see tomorrow and get a feel for.”
The Chargers are in second place of the AFC West, sitting right behind the Denver Broncos, who are two games ahead of L.A.