Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Emerges as lead back in win
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Vidal carried the ball 18 times for 124 yards and also caught three of his four targets for 14 yards and a touchdown in the 29-27 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
Despite reports earlier this week Vidal and Hassan Haskins would be a part of a committee, the second-year back proved definitively he was the more explosive player by tallying 138 total yards on 21 touches to Haskins' 23 yards on seven opportunities. Omarion Hampton (ankle) is expected to be out at least a month, and while the Chargers have reportedly been sniffing around available options according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Vidal's massive outing might quiet the trade calls for another week. It's worth noting Miami's run defense is one of the worst in the league, and it should be tougher sledding at home against the Colts next week.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Part of committee with Haskins
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Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday that Vidal and Hassan Haskins will both factor in significantly Sunday against the Dolphins, but neither is viewed as the clear lead back, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Vidal was signed to the active roster Wednesday off the Chargers' practice squad, taking the roster spot that the team cleared by placing Omarion Hampton (ankle) on IR. Haskins and Vidal each played 14 snaps on offense in the Chargers' 27-10 Week 5 loss to Commanders, during which Hampton was injured. It sounds like both healthy running backs will have opportunities to capitalize on Sunday's favorable matchup against a Dolphins defense that has allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL this season. Amar Johnson and/or Nyheim Hines could also factor into the backfield mix if elevated from the practice squad.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Signed to roster
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The Chargers signed Vidal to their active roster Wednesday.
He'll take the place of Omarion Hampton, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury late in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Commanders. Vidal and Hassan Haskins formed a near 50/50 split on the next drive, with Vidal then taking over on the final series once Justin Herbert and other starters had been pulled. Vidal was a practice-squad promotion for Weeks 4 and 5 -- after Najee Harris suffered a season-ending injury -- but will now reside on the active roster and have a role in the Week 6 game plan against a struggling Miami defense.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Week 6 Adds (RB Preview)
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Last week, early in the week, there was a lot of mystery about whether Michael Carter or Emari Demercado would lead the Cardinals backfield. As the week went on, it became clear it was probably Carter. We will be hoping for the same clarity this week with Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins vying to fill in for Omarion Hampton. We don't love either of these backs as players, but the matchup with the Dolphins is too good to ignore. We lean Vidal early in the week because we think he has more upside as a rusher, but pay close attention to reports out of Los Angeles and don't be afraid to change your FAB bids when more information comes out. Both Vidal and Haskins are worth an add, but until we get more clarity, I wouldn't spend more than 12% on either. A veteran like Gus Edwards could be looming.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Week 6 Waiver Priority List
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This is your Chargers post Part 1, so check on Hassan Haskins as well. Omarion Hampton (ankle) was placed on injured reserve, and I would give a slight lean toward Vidal as the top running back for Los Angeles, ahead of Haskins. This is speculative as of Monday, but in Week 5 against Washington, Vidal had four carries for 18 yards and one catch for 1 yard on one target, while Haskins had five carries for 13 yards and one catch for 2 yards on one target. In two drives without Hampton against the Commanders, Vidal played more snaps and ran more routes than Haskins, while both handled the same amount of carries. We will hopefully get an answer during the week on who will lead the backfield in place of Hampton, but I would add Vidal first for up to 10 percent of your remaining FAB, with Haskins right behind him at 5-10 percent. The Chargers have an unbelievable matchup in Week 6 against the Dolphins, who are No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, so Vidal or Haskins could be a borderline starter in all leagues. The other running back can still be a potential flex option as well, and then we'll see what happens going forward until Hampton returns.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Could help fill in for Hampton
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Vidal reverted to the Chargers' practice squad Monday.
After being elevated for Week 5 Vidal logged 14 snaps in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Commanders, carrying four times for 18 yards and catching his only target for one yard. Meanwhile, fellow running back Hassan Haskins also logged 14 snaps, carrying five times for 13 yards and catching his only target for two yards. With Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reporting that top back Omarion Hampton is slated to go on injured reserve and miss at least four games with an ankle injury, Vidal and Haskins both are expected to see added touches in the weeks to come. The Chargers could also look to add backfield depth in the coming days, but in the meantime, the looming possibility of an expanded workload makes Vidal -- who appears destined for either another elevation or an active roster spot Week 6 -- a worthy waiver-wire target for those in need of help at running back.
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Kimani Vidal: Reverts to practice squad
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Vidal reverted to the Chargers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Vidal was elevated to the Chargers' active roster for Week 4 following Najee Harris' season-ending Achilles injury in Week 3 against the Broncos. Vidal saw the field for seven snaps (two on offense, five on special teams) and was the firm RB3 behind Omarion Hampton and Hassan Haskins. Vidal did log one kickoff return for 25 yards and would likely reprise that role were he to be elevated by the Chargers again this season.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Returns to active roster
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The Chargers elevated Vidal from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
With Najee Harris suffering a torn Achilles in the Chargers' Week 3 win over the Broncos, Vidal's elevation adds much-needed depth to the team's backfield. The 2024 sixth-round pick from Troy appeared in 10 games for Los Angeles in 2024, recording 217 yards and one touchdown on 48 offensive touches (43 carries and five receptions). He's expected to play behind Omarion Hampton and Hassan Haskins in a Week 4 matchup against the Giants.
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Kimani Vidal: Back to practice squad
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The Chargers signed Vidal to the practice squad Wednesday.
Vidal couldn't earn a spot on Los Angeles' initial 53-man roster entering Year 2, but the 2024 sixth-round pick will stick around in an emergency reserve role on the practice squad. Across 10 regular-season appearances as a rookie in 2024, Vidal rushed just 43 times for 155 yards (3.6 YPC) and zero touchdowns. He also secured five of nine targets for 62 yards and one score.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Struggles on six carries
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Vidal rushed six times for 16 yards while failing to bring in his lone target in Sunday's 27-13 preseason win over the Saints.
Vidal got the first crack at touches out of the backfield Sunday with Najee Harris (eye) still sidelined and Omarion Hampton getting rested for the exhibition. The 22-year-old Vidal struggled in the spot start, averaging well under 3.0 yards per carry and wasting a prime opportunity to solidify a roster spot. Vidal will have to show improved play to close out the preseason schedule or risk missing the cut completely when rosters are finalized.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Hardly utilized in rookie campaign
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Vidal finished his rookie campaign with 43 carries for 155 yards and an additional five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown across 10 games.
The 2024 sixth-round pick was considered a possible deep sleeper entering the year given the uncertain availability of oft-injured backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, but the imported Ravens duo were relatively healthy throughout the year, relegating Vidal to a healthy inactive at portions of the season. Even when the rookie had opportunities to flourish due to various injuries to the aforementioned duo, Vidal only saw six or more carries twice throughout the season and played just over 21 offensive snaps twice throughout the entire campaign. The Chargers clearly prioritize multiple rotational backs and depth given the offensive emphasis of the position, but it's unclear if Vidal will be a part of the team's larger goals despite Dobbins entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and Edwards due a $3 million bonus entering his age-30 season.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Healthy inactive Saturday
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Vidal is inactive for Saturday's wild-card matchup against the Texans.
With J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards both healthy for the postseason contest, Vidal will revert back to his status as a healthy inactive like he did Weeks 10-12. Hassan Haskins will operate as the team's third back given his utility as a special teams player.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Gets just one snap in Week 18
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Vidal went without a carry or target while playing one of the Chargers' 75 snaps on offense in Sunday's 34-20 win over the Raiders.
Though the Chargers were without Gus Edwards (ankle) for a second consecutive game, starting running back J.K. Dobbins (65 percent snap share) took on more playing time in his second game back from injured reserve, while Hassan Haskins (36 percent share) settled in as the clear No. 2 back. That left little work left over for Vidal, who finished the regular season with 43 carries for 155 yards and no touchdowns to go with five catches for 62 yards and a score on nine targets over his 10 appearances. If Edwards is available for Saturday's wild-card game in Houston, Vidal could find himself on the inactive list for the first time since Week 12.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Sees five carries in win
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Vidal tallied five carries for 24 yards in the 40-7 win over the Patriots on Saturday.
Vidal played just nine offensive snaps with J.K. Dobbins (knee) returning after a four-week absence. Meanwhile Hassan Haskins operated in the power-back capacity in replace of the injured Gus Edwards (ankle) as Haskins played 28 snaps while Dobbins saw 42 in the game that quickly evolved into a blowout by the third quarter. Vidal has flashed some explosiveness in his rookie season, but the committee approach will likely relegate the 23-year-old to a mere depth piece entering the playoffs.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Used sparingly in win
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Vidal carried the ball five times for 24 yards in the 34-27 win over the Broncos on Thursday.
It was Gus Edwards' time to shine Thursday, as the bruising back helped the team complete a feverish second-half rally, finishing with 14 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns. This very much felt like the Chargers acknowledging Edwards was the hot hand Thursday, as game script wouldn't necessarily suggest the power back being a focal point. As such, Vidal was simply an afterthought. The rookie did rip off a 19-yard run, his longest of the season, but otherwise was just used sparingly. Given the wide degree of variance week to week from this platoon backfield, it's hard to assume Vidal will be a fantasy factor Week 17 against the Patriots.
Vidal played more than Gus Edwards in Week 14 and certainly looks like the more explosive player at this stage of their careers. I am hopeful that in Week 15 we see Vidal functioning as the lead back of a committe, which will make him a potential starter in the final two weeks of the playoffs.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Week 14 Waiver Priority List
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With J.K. Dobbins (knee) on injured reserve, Vidal will be the No. 2 running back for the Chargers behind Gus Edwards until at least Week 17. In Week 13 at Atlanta, Edwards played 52 percent of the snaps, while Vidal was at 26 percent. He only had four carries for 20 yards, but hopefully he'll get more touches moving forward. He doesn't have an easy matchup in Week 14 at Kansas City, but then Vidal faces Tampa Bay in Week 15, which is favorable. He is worth adding in all leagues for 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Doesn't see major bump in work
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Vidal registered just four carries for 20 yards in the 17-13 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
It's hard to get very excited about this performance given the expectation was Vidal would see a substantial uptick in work due to J.K. Dobbins (knee) being placed on injured reserve, but to add some perspective, the Falcons turned the ball over four times and sported a nearly 12-minute advantage in the time-of-possession battle. Vidal's four touches were fewer than Gus Edwards' seven (including one reception for one yard), but neither back really got rolling in a disjointed overall offensive performance by the Chargers. Hassan Haskins, who played ahead of Vidal in the Week 12 loss, had just one carry in which he fumbled the ball, so at the very least the rookie Vidal should be considered the No. 2 back moving forward.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: May have role again
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Vidal may help replace J.K. Dobbins, who is expected to miss Sunday's game at Atlanta after suffering a knee sprain in Monday's 30-23 loss to the Ravens, Bobby Kownack of NFL.com reports.
Vidal played in four games earlier this season, averaging 4.5 carries for 11.0 yards (2.4 YPC) and 0.75 catches for 12.3 yards. He took his first NFL touch for a 38-yard receiving touchdown on a wheel route but then didn't do much thereafter and became a healthy inactive again once Gus Edwards returned from injured reserve. Edwards will likely take over as the lead runner, with Vidal and Haskins in backup roles. Vidal could be the pass-catching back in that arrangement, as Edwards and Haskins both are listed above 225 pounds and known for size and power more so than quickness or receiving ability.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Inactive Sunday
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Vidal is inactive for Sunday night's game against the Bengals.
With Vidal a healthy scratch for the second straight game, the Chargers' Week 11 RB duties will be handled by J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Hassan Haskins. In that context, the 2024 sixth-rounder will be off the fantasy radar unless injuries hit the team's backfield.
