Jim Harbaugh and the LA Chargers have a tricky riddle to solve in the backfield, with Najee Harris’s injury situation underscoring what the Bolts have had to deal with this season. It’s been a wild game of musical chairs that’s seen a 4th-string running back bag a 100-yard game.
Let’s look deeper at Harris’s injury and the Chargers’ offensive situation as a whole.
Najee Harris Injury: Chargers Backfield Is Left in Jeopardy
Harris was carted off the field during the Chargers’ 23-20 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 3, and Harbaugh later confirmed it was an Achilles injury. The back underwent imaging and tests after the game, and on September 22, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Harris would miss the remainder of the season.
Subsequently, rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton had the highway to the lead-back spot, and he made the most of the opportunity.
His complementary role was upgraded to workhorse, and he exploded onto the scene the very next week against the New York Giants. In a 21-18 road loss, Hampton had a field day, rushing for 128 yards and one touchdown while adding 37 receiving yards.
However, his run was short-lived, as the following week against the Washington Commanders saw him leave for the locker room in the third quarter. It was confirmed to be an ankle injury, for which he underwent further testing. However, the situation deteriorated, as Hampton was then placed on IR on October 8, with the recovery timeline expected to span at least four games.
With the backfield wrecked, roster shuffles ensued, which included Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal, and Nyheim Hines.
Haskins was next in line but couldn’t muster much in the committee backfield that included Vidal. Chest and hamstring issues limited Haskins’s production, resulting in the healthy Vidal establishing himself as the new lead back.
In a 29-27 win versus the Miami Dolphins in Week 6, Vidal recorded 124 rushing yards, 14 receiving yards, and a touchdown. His RB1 role might not be permanent, but he’ll have a proper shot at earning Harbaugh’s trust in Hampton’s absence.
He’ll get his next chance in primetime, when the Chargers host the Vikings for Week 8 action. Minnesota ranks around the middle of the pack when it comes to stopping running back production, earning a score of 86.8 on PFSN’s Defense Impact metrics.
So, Vidal should have an opportunity to capitalize on LA’s passing game, featuring Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey, and Keenan Allen, demanding a lot of defensive attention.
