Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Likely to miss more than four games
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Hampton, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday due to a left ankle injury, isn't expected to be out for the season but is on track to be sidelined for more than the four-game minimum, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh didn't provide many details about the injury Hampton sustained in the Week 5 loss to the Commanders, but the fact that the promising rookie is expected to need more than four weeks to make a full recovery points to him likely nursing a high-ankle sprain. A target date for Hampton's return has yet to be established, but because the Chargers have a bye coming up in Week 12, the team could be motivated to hold him out through that period to give him ample time to heal. Garafolo notes that Hassan Haskins is likely to serve as the Chargers' lead back Sunday in Miami while practice-squad signee Kimani Vidal also sees work, but Los Angeles is also expected to be in the market for a running back ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline to compensate for the long-term injuries to Hampton and Najee Harris (Achilles).
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Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Will be placed on injured reserve
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Coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday that Hampton (ankle) will be placed on injured reserve in the coming days, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
It's another crushing blow to the Chargers offense after the team already lost Najee Harris to a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 3. On top of the backfield injuries, Justin Herbert has been running for his proverbial life behind Los Angeles' swinging gate offensive line that is without starting LT Rashawn Slater (kneecap) for the season while right tackle-turned-left tackle Joe Alt (ankle) is week-to-week. With Hampton on the shelf for at least the next four games, the Chargers will be down to Hassan Haskins and practice-squad RBs Kimani Vidal and Amar Johnson in the backfield.
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Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Slated to undergo tests on ankle
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Hampton, who was spotted in a walking boot after Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Commanders, is slated to undergo testing on his ankle Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Hampton's status thus is worth monitoring carefully ahead of the Chargers' Oct. 12 game against the Dolphins, but if he's forced to miss time, Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal (who has been elevated from the practice squad the last two weeks) would be next in line for Los Angeles' backfield touches.
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Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Leaves stadium in walking boot
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Hampton (ankle) was spotted in the locker room with a walking boot on his left foot following Sunday's loss to the Commanders, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Hampton was injured in the fourth quarter against Washington and was unable to finish the contest. The Chargers already lost Najee Harris to a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 3, and it now appears Hampton will be nursing an ankle injury this week ahead of next Sunday's date with the Dolphins. If Hampton can't play against Miami, the Chargers will be down to Hassan Haskins and practice squad members Kimani Vidal and Amar Johnson.
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Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Injures ankle Sunday
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Hampton suffered an ankle injury during Sunday's contest versus the Commanders.
Hampton appeared to get clipped by a Washington defender while running a route out of the Chargers backfield in the fourth quarter and then went to the locker room with a trainer, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com. If Hampton is unable to return, he'll wrap up Week 5 action with 12 carries for 44 yards and six catches (on six targets) for 26 yards. Hassan Haskins and practice-squad member Kimani Vidal are the other two available RBs on Los Angeles' active roster Sunday.
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Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Larger workload on tap
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Hampton is set to lead the Chargers backfield in the wake of Najee Harris' season-ending torn Achilles, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Harris suffered the non-contact injury with 5:12 remaining in the first half of Sunday's win against the Broncos, and Hampton ended up getting most of the RB reps the rest of the way, finishing with 19 carries for 70 yards and one touchdown and six catches on seven targets for 59 yards. Hampton's output as a receiver helped him set a new career high in yards from scrimmage, and the TD marked the initial end-zone visit of the rookie first-round pick's career. Behind Hampton, Los Angeles has Hassan Haskins on the active roster and Kimani Vidal and Amar Johnson on the practice squad, meaning the team likely will add to the position group sooner than later. However, this is Hampton's backfield for the foreseeable future.
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Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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I hope this isn't a bust alert for the season since Hampton has been a disappointment thus far through two games. He combined for 23 carries for 72 yards and no touchdowns and three catches for 14 yards on four targets in two outings against the Chiefs and Raiders. Along with that, Najee Harris increased his workload in Game 2, and Hampton had a botched handoff late in the game against Las Vegas, which led to a fumble. Jonathan Taylor abused the Broncos in Week 2 for 29.5 PPR points, but Tony Pollard only managed 9.9 PPR points against Denver in Week 1. It's hard to expect a big game from Hampton right now, and he's only worth using as a flex option at best in the majority of leagues.
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Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Plays with starters
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Hampton carried the ball twice for 12 yards in Saturday's 23-22 preseason loss to the Rams.
Hampton played in one series with the rest of the Chargers' starters and logged gains of five and seven yards. More importantly, he was the only back to appear with the starting offensive unit, which included Justin Herbert. Hampton is likely to be a part of a rotation at the start of the regular season, though it remains to be seen if he is paired with Najee Harris (eye) or one of a few other running backs vying for a role in the team's backfield.
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Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Logs pair of touches in HOF Game
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Hampton rushed twice for nine yards and wasn't targeted during the Chargers' 34-7 preseason win over the Lions in Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game.
Hampton saw his two touches on Los Angeles' opening drive, which was capped by a five-yard touchdown pass from Trey Lance to Will Dissly. Hampton actually saw three carries overall during the possession, but what would have been his first official NFL rush attempt was wiped off the books by a defensive offsides penalty. The rookie first-round pick has been drawing rave reviews since he first stepped on the practice field this offseason, and he's likely to continue getting his fair share of opportunities throughout the Chargers' exhibition slate as he prepares for a presumptive lead-back role right at the onset of his pro career.
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Chargers' Omarion Hampton: On track to see snaps in HOF Game
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Hampton is in line to play in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game against the Lions, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
While coach Jim Harbaugh said that "veteran traditional starters" won't play in the contest, Hampton -- as well as rookie WRs Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith -- is slated to see snaps versus Detroit. Hampton, who was taken 22nd overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, is destined to play a key role this season in a Chargers backfield that also features Najee Harris, who is on the active/non-football injury list after sustaining an eye injury as the result of a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July.
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Chargers' Omarion Hampton: Bolts to Chargers
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The Chargers selected Hampton in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 22nd overall.
Even with the Najee Harris acquisition this offseason, Hampton was too good a value to pass up for the Chargers given the way the board fell. Hampton was the definition of a workhorse at North Carolina with at least 250 carries in each of his final two seasons. He maintained a 5.9 YPC average in 2023 and 2024 despite the degree of difficulty being ratcheted up in 2024 with Drake Maye no longer there to threaten defenses through the air. At 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds with 4.46 speed, Hampton has a great combination of density, low center of gravity, and power to his game. He isn't a standout pass-catcher, but he improved in that regard year over year in Chapel Hill. His talent and his fit within a Chargers offense that emphasizes running the ball should excite fantasy managers. However, Harris' presence in that backfield could lead to a frustrating workload split in 2025.
