Omarion Hampton Reveals Ankle Fracture and Return to Action
The Los Angeles Chargers’ running back, Omarion Hampton, has revealed that he has been dealing with a fracture in his left ankle, an injury sustained in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders. This previously undisclosed injury led to Hampton being placed on the injured reserve list, keeping him off the field since then. Hampton, who returned to training on Tuesday, expressed feeling “incredible” upon returning to the court and hopes to play on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, although the final decision rests with the team’s medical staff.The Chargers selected Hampton with the number 22 pick in April, hoping that he and veteran running back Najee Harris would form the ground offense that coach Jim Harbaugh had envisioned. Hampton had a slow start to the season, but quickly became one of the Chargers’ most important players after Harris suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the first half against the Denver Broncos in Week 3. With Harris out, Los Angeles relied heavily on Hampton, who had an outstanding performance with 129 yards from the line of scrimmage and his first NFL touchdown in a 23-20 victory. Hampton was a consistent and forceful force in the running game and a sure receiver in the passing game for Herbert, catching 17 passes between Weeks 3 and 5, tied for second on the team with wide receiver Keenan Allen. Hampton was also third in the NFL in yards from the line of scrimmage (364) during that period.“It hurt a little. Being here can’t help my team. So it will be good to help my team a little more,” Hampton said.
Omarion Hampton
Without Hampton, the Chargers turned to running back Kimani Vidal. Vidal, a sixth-round pick in 2024, was released before the Chargers’ roster cuts to 53 players, but returned to the practice squad and was signed to the active roster after injuries to Hampton and Harris. Vidal, who only had 43 carries for 155 yards last season, has emerged as a “number 1 runner,” according to Harbaugh. Vidal has two games with more than 100 yards on the ground and has accumulated a total of 399 rushing yards since Week 6, which puts him in 17th place in the NFL. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said that Vidal has performed well and that he feels good about both running backs in the future. Roman said he does not anticipate Vidal having a game like the one he had against Denver in Week 3, in which he played 63 plays. The Chargers have until Saturday to activate Hampton from the injured reserve list.“I feel like I was getting a little comfortable. I feel like I haven’t reached my full potential yet,” Hampton said.
Omarion Hampton
