In a surprising turn of events, the Los Angeles Chargers have sent rookie running back Omarion Hampton to injured reserve due to an ankle injury, as confirmed by Coach Jim Harbaugh on Monday.
This unfortunate development means Hampton will be sidelined for a minimum of four games, with his earliest possible return set for Week 10. During that week, the Chargers are scheduled to face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers under the bright lights of a Sunday night game.
"He’s going to miss some time," Harbaugh stated. "At a minimum, he’ll be out for four games, but we’re hopeful he can come back as quickly as he can after that."
While Harbaugh opted not to disclose specifics about the severity of Hampton's ankle injury, the incident occurred during a critical moment late in the third quarter of the Chargers’ recent 27-10 defeat against the Washington Commanders. On a fourth-down play, quarterback Justin Herbert executed a fake handoff to Hampton before rolling out to the right as Hampton darted into the flat. Unfortunately, as Hampton gained speed, he stumbled over the foot of Washington linebacker Frankie Luvu. Limping visibly, Hampton left the field and attempted to evaluate his ankle in the medical tent before ultimately being unable to return to the game.
"That was a tough situation," remarked Harbaugh.
Hampton, who was selected as the 22nd overall pick in the NFL draft this past April, had begun to show promise and live up to expectations. In a recent Week 4 matchup against the New York Giants, he made headlines by rushing for a career-high 128 yards on 12 carries, featuring a remarkable 54-yard touchdown run. Additionally, he had accumulated 17 receptions for 122 yards between Weeks 3 and 5. Given the recent season-ending injury to running back Najee Harris, who suffered a torn Achilles, Hampton had stepped into a pivotal role for the team as the primary back.
"He was finding his rhythm and playing fantastic football," noted Harbaugh. "He’s a special talent."
Now, the Chargers find themselves in a tough spot as injuries continue to impact their roster, especially in the running back position. The original plan for a dynamic duo of Hampton and Harris has crumbled, as both players are now on injured reserve. Stepping up in Hampton’s absence is Hassan Haskins, who brings with him a modest career total of 195 rushing yards, averaging just 3.0 yards per carry. Supporting Haskins are two players from the practice squad, Kimani Vidal and Amar Johnson. Vidal, a sixth-round draft pick from 2024, has been elevated to the active roster for the last two games, managing to secure 18 rushing yards on four carries in the game against the Commanders.
"We'll explore other options to enhance our running back depth as well," Harbaugh mentioned, hinting at the possibility of further roster adjustments.
The Chargers have faced a barrage of injury woes this season, extending beyond the running back position. Alongside the absence of their top two running backs, both starting tackles are currently unavailable; Rashawn Slater is out indefinitely with a knee injury, while Joe Alt missed the game against the Commanders due to a high ankle sprain. Alt was seen in a protective boot during warmups on Sunday.
Moreover, starting right guard Mekhi Becton has struggled with multiple injuries this year, participating in only 51.3 percent of offensive snaps. Compounding the issue, Becton himself was limited to 38 snaps on Sunday due to a hand injury.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Chargers' top edge rusher, Khalil Mack, continues to be sidelined since Week 2 due to an elbow injury. Mack is currently on injured reserve and won’t be eligible to come back until Week 7.
"This is a chance for everyone—players, coaches, and the entire organization—to rise to the occasion, despite the challenges we’re facing," Harbaugh concluded. "When times get tough, the tough get going, and I see this as an opening to prove that we can adapt and persevere."
