Los Angeles Chargers rookie Omarion Hampton has been dealing with a brutal injury stretch. The running back hasn’t played in nearly two months, and there’s rising pressure for his return as the team battles through a tough AFC West race.
With the playoff push underway, the Chargers are focused on holding their second-place spot in the division ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs. The question now is when Hampton will be back to help his team.
Omarion Hampton Injury Update
Latest reports show that Hampton, who fractured his ankle earlier this season, was limited in Wednesday’s practice after being designated to return on Tuesday. He hasn’t played since Week 5 against the Washington Commanders, when he totaled 44 rushing yards and 26 receiving yards in a 27-10 loss.
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.
Before going down, Hampton flashed significant potential. His breakout performance came in Week 4 against the New York Giants, racking up 128 yards on the ground with a touchdown plus 37 receiving yards.
Najee Harris’ season-ending Achilles injury in Week 3 marked the beginning of the Chargers’ backfield issues. Hampton’s breakout in Week 4 briefly restored optimism, a glimpse of a promising replacement, but that hope quickly faded when the rookie went down the following week.
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Since then, head coach Jim Harbaugh has cycled through options at RB, moving from Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal to just Vidal after Haskins was sidelined. Vidal has been a bright spot after being elevated from the practice squad, emerging as the only reliable back on the roster.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders Preview
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.
Raiders’ Insights for Week 13
Team:Â According to the PFSN Analytics, Las Vegas currently has a 14.1% chance of getting the first overall pick. A loss increases the chances to 19.7%, a win drops it to 4.8%.
QB: Geno Smith’s QBi (69.1) in Week 12 ranked 23rd among all qualified quarterbacks. It’s the sixth week he’s ranked 23rd or lower this season.
Offense: The Raiders are 0-6 when scoring 16 points or fewer. It’s tied for third in games with 16 points or fewer.
Defense: Maxx Crosby’s 96.0 EDGEi is the best in the NFL. It would be the third time in four years that he has led the league in EDGEi.
Fantasy: Ashton Jeanty has failed to reach double-digit fantasy points four times this season. One of those instances came in Week 2 against the Chargers. But things are a bit different now. Jeanty has seen 26 targets over his last four games after seeing a total of 20 over his first seven. If his ankle is okay, Jeanty suddenly has a stable PPR floor.
