Lions add Raheem Blackshear from 4-RB tryout

*polite chuckle* Oh Dolphins, you’ve really done it this time. There wouldn’t seem to be a real spot for Edwards-Helaire as a backup with Ollie Gordon and Jaylen Wright already here. Edwards-Helaire has not seen 100 carries in a season since 2021 and was somehow irrelevant even in the Chiefs backfield last year.

Vidal also caught a screen pass on fourth down, but immediately received a hard hit from Broncos CB Pat Surtain, losing two yards on the play. Chargers RB Jaret Patterson led the backfield with eight rushes for 29 yards and caught 3-of-4 targets for eight yards. Fellow backup RB Hassan Haskins rushed once for three yards. Vidal should operate as RB Omarion Hampton’s primary backup next week against the Patriots.

The Chargers have ruled out starting RB Omarion Hampton (ankle), among other impactful starters, as they prepare for the playoffs. Chargers No. 2 RB Kimani Vidal (neck) will likely get the start this week. While Haskins will rotate in, healthy RB Jaret Patterson will also be in play. It is a muddled situation against a tough Broncos defense.

Vidal injured his neck in Week 16 and was unable to play in Week 17. He practiced throughout Week 18, including two full sessions to close the week. Forecasting Vidal’s role is difficult, with the Chargers declaring QB Justin Herbert, S Derwin James Jr., RB Omarion Hampton (ankle), S Elijah Molden (hamstring), OLB Tuli Tuipulotu, OT Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) and C Bradley Bozeman (concussion) inactive for Week 18 against the Broncos. The team is clearly trying to preserve its health for the postseason and Vidal has meaningfully contributed to the offense this season. While we tentatively expect him to start, RB Hassan Haskins (concussion) and RB Jaret Patterson could also be regularly involved. Patterson is the backfield’s lone fully healthy player.

We’d be surprised if Haskins assumed a big role after suffering a concussion in Week 17. Kimani Vidal is likely to be the leader of the backfield in Week 18 for those of you searching for somebody to play in this game.

Vidal could get the start this week with RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) sidelined by an ankle injury. The team could choose to preserve Vidal’s health for the postseason, though. Rotational RB Jaret Patterson is healthy and Hassan Haskins (concussion) remains limited.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters earlier this week that getting his injured players healthy is his priority. With two absences to begin the week, Hampton seems unlikely to play this week. It is unclear whether rotational backup Jaret Patterson will get the start. Chargers No. 2 RB Kimani Vidal (neck) upgraded to full today while RB Hassan Haskins (concussion) remains limited.

Chargers starting RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has only ruled out QB Justin Herbert (hand) thus far, though other starters could also be ruled out as the week progresses. Chargers No. 3 RB Hassan Haskins (concussion) was limited as well. Backup RB Jaret Patterson can be stashed by running back-needy fantasy managers.

Vidal “could miss time, but the belief is that it’s not serious,” said Rapoport. If Vidal does miss Week 17’s game against the Texans on Saturday, Hassan Haskins will likely be Omarion Hampton’s main running mate in that game.

Hampton will be active for Monday night’s game against the Eagles and will likely draw the start. Hampton was seeing a bell cow workload before going down in Week 5’s game against the Commanders, and will hopefully have a healthy role in time for the fantasy playoffs. Hampton has rushed 66 times for 314 yards and two touchdowns, and has caught another 20 passes for 136 scoreless yards. His return likely deals a major blow to Kimani Vidal’s fantasy value, although Vidal could see enough work to remain in the mix as a FLEX play. We’ll have more information to go on after Monday’s game against the Eagles, but Hampton is in the RB2 mix for anybody hoping to start him on Monday night. In addition to Hampton, the Chargers have also activated RB Hassan Haskins (hamstring) from injured reserve.