LA Chargers running back Omarion Hampton has been battling through an arduous injury journey. The rookie hasn’t seen any game action for about two months, and there’s some pressure on him to return to help his team in a tricky AFC West.
The playoff race is on, and at this point, LA is just trying to defend its second seed in the division from the Kansas City Chiefs. So, when will Hampton return to aid his team’s efforts?
Omarion Hampton Injury Update
Latest reports indicate that Hampton, who suffered a fractured ankle early in the season, was limited in Wednesday’s practice session, despite being designated to return on Tuesday. He last saw game time in a 27-10 loss in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders, in which he rushed for 44 yards and recorded 26 receiving yards.
The rookie commented on his prospects to return to the field, saying he’s waiting for updates from his doctor.
“They haven’t told me yet, but I’m waiting to find out,” he said. “Whatever my doc says.”
Hampton showed a lot of promise right before his injury. He exploded onto the scene in Week 4 versus the New York Giants, recording 128 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 37 receiving yards.
His return will bring much relief to a wrecked Chargers backfield. However, they will have to wait at least one more week as Hampton was ruled out for Week 13 on Friday.
Chargers Grappling With a Decimated Backfield This Season
Hampton’s injury is only one chapter in a backfield that has seen many changes this year.
Najee Harris’s season-ending Achilles injury in Week 3Â marked the start of the running back room’s downfall. Hampton’s breakout Week 4 performance was supposed to bring hope in light of Harris’s devastating injury. However, the hope didn’t last long, as the very next week saw an end to the rookie’s brief run.
READ MORE:Â Week 13 NFL Power Rankings: Eagles Fall After Loss to Cowboys, Steelers Tumble
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has since juggled a running back room that went from Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal to only Vidal after Haskins’s injury.
However, Vidal has been a revelation since being elevated from the practice squad, standing as the only durable back on the team. He first stepped onto the field in Week 5 to help relieve the absence of Hampton. But it didn’t take long for him to make his mark.
The very next week, against the No. 17-ranked Miami Dolphins in the PFSN Offense Impact, he recorded his first 100-yard game, with 124 yards on the ground, in addition to 14 receiving yards and a touchdown.
How Harbaugh rotates the running back room once Hampton returns remains to be seen. Still, the rookie will undoubtedly have to return in full force if the Chargers want to keep up in the AFC West.
Los Angeles Chargers’ Insights for Week 13
Team:Â Los Angeles is scoring 26.9 points per game in seven wins, while only 14.5 points per game in three losses.
QB: Justin Herbert has 20 touchdowns and two interceptions in ten career games against the Raiders.
Offense:Â The Chargers posted an OFFi score of 58.6 (F) against the Jaguars in Week 11. It was the second-worst OFFi score in the NFL this season.
Defense:Â Los Angeles held Las Vegas to nine points and forced three Geno Smith interceptions in a Week 2 win.
Fantasy: Since assuming the lead back role, Kimani Vidal has alternated games with 17+ fantasy points and sub-8.0 fantasy points. But none of that may matter if Omarion Hampton can return this week.
