The Los Angeles Chargers look to continue building momentum as they prepare for their Week 10 matchup. Omarion Hampton remains on injured reserve with an ankle injury that has sidelined him since Week 5. Will fantasy football managers see their star rookie running back return now that he’s eligible?
Omarion Hampton Injury Update
Hampton injured his left ankle late in the third quarter of the Chargers’ Week 5 loss to the Washington Commanders when a defender stepped on the back of his foot on fourth-and-two, forcing him to exit in a walking boot. The Los Angeles Chargers placed him on injured reserve the following Wednesday, guaranteeing a minimum four-game absence.
Hampton is now eligible to return from IR, but there’s no indication he will do so this week. However, head coach Jim Harbaugh provided encouraging news regarding his progress during a recent press conference.
According to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Harbaugh said of Hampton: ‘To me, it looks like he’s getting better every day. We know he won’t be there this week’. When pressed for more details about his return timeline, Harbaugh said he’d ‘rather not speculate’ any further. This was in reference to Week 9.
The positive tone from Harbaugh represented the most encouraging update on Hampton’s status since he was placed on IR. Initial reports suggested he might need more than the minimum four weeks, and that appears to be the case.
On Monday, Harbaugh confirmed what we’ve believed for weeks. Hampton will not be activated until after the Chargers’ Week 12 bye. This is the most prudent course of action regardless of how he is feeling, affording him what would amount to two additional full weeks of recovery so he can return completely healthy in Week 13.
Hampton must be designated for return from injured reserve before he can participate in practice, which would open his 21-day practice window. Despite earlier optimism about his progress, fantasy managers should not expect Hampton to suit up in Week 10 or Week 11. But to be clear, there is no guarantee Hampton is back in Week 13.
Hampton Fantasy Outlook
Hampton’s potential return faces a complication that didn’t exist when he first went down. Kimani Vidal has thoroughly impressed filling in for Hampton during his absence, particularly in recent weeks against elite competition.
The expectation should be that Vidal will continue as the lead back until Hampton returns. Even when Hampton does come back, Vidal has undoubtedly earned the right to be the RB2 and change-of-pace option in the backfield.
This creates a potentially complicated fantasy situation for Hampton managers. While he was the presumed starter before his injury, Vidal’s impressive play means Hampton may not immediately resume a workhorse role upon his return.
Hampton remains a priority IR stash for fantasy managers who can afford to hold him through the extended absence. However, his role upon return may be more limited than originally anticipated, at least initially, as the Chargers ease him back while rewarding Vidal’s strong play.
Fantasy managers should monitor Hampton’s practice participation closely once he’s designated for return. A Week 13 return following the bye would give him maximum recovery time and allow the Chargers to integrate him properly into the offense for the stretch run.