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    Hampton in timeshare, held to 56 yards in loss

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    LAC Running Back #8
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    Omarion Hampton rushed 15 times for 56 yards in a Week 3 loss to the Bills.

    The Chargers were missing two starting interior linemen and decided that running up the gut was not going to work for them. Understandably so. Hampton was held to just 3.7 yards per carry and didn’t seem to break any tackles in the interior of the Bills’ defensive line. Mike McDaniel decided to use Keaton Mitchell on the perimeter at the start of the game, but the Bills adjusted to take that away. At the end of the day, Hampton had 15 carries to Mitchell’s eight, but Hampton played 29 snaps, while Mitchell played 26 and ran a route on double the amount of dropbacks that Hampton did. This is a problematic timeshare in an offense that doesn’t look very good right now. Hampton remains a low-end RB2 who is touchdown dependent, which means he’s probably an RB3 next week against the Seahawks.
Fanta: Jaguars 'can win Super Bowl' with Liam Coen
John Fanta recaps the Jacksonville Jaguars' dominating performance against the New England Patriots and states the "Jaguars can win the Super Bowl," while being led by Liam Coen.

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  • LAC Running Back #8
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    Hampton was a workhorse in this game, picking up what was blocked but not much more. He had a solid outing going until late in the fourth quarter when Nakobe Dean knocked the football out of his hands and into the waiting arms of Jeremy Chinn. A lengthy return put the Raiders in scoring position and all but ended the game. Fantasy managers won’t be too bothered by the blunder today, but it could result in the team giving more work to Keaton Mitchell, who only touched the ball six times. Hampton will be near the top of the RB2 ranks for Week 3 versus the Bills despite seeing an RB1 workload today.
  • LAC Running Back #8
    Hampton got away with it thanks to a first half touchdown plunge before the LA offense imploded following Ladd McConkey’s chest injury. Hampton was not targeted on 17 pass routes while Keaton Mitchell saw one target on 13 routes. Mitchell had four rushes on the day. Mike McDaniel’s offense collapsed immediately after the Bolts marched downfield on their first drive of the game, making it hard to tell exactly how Hampton (and Mitchell) will be used in neutral game script. That the Chargers were dominated by the Cardinals could be a bad sign for everyone in the Chargers offense, including Hampton. He’ll be a top-20 option next week against the Raiders.
  • LAC Running Back #34
    Mitchell, a limited participant in practice for much of the week, will suit up for the Bolts’ season opener against Arizona. He should see a handful of designed touches in Mike McDaniel’s offense while Omarion Hampton functions as the team’s lead back and Kimani Vidal mixes in here and there. Mitchell can be used as a second flex option for now. Chargers declared S RJ Mickens, CB Deane Leonard, OL Logan Taylor, OL Alex Harkey, and OL Trevor Penning inactive for their season opener.
  • LAC Running Back #8
    Popper fielded a question about Hampton’s top-10 chances as a guest on the Locked On Chargers show. The metrics for measuring this feat were left undefined, but rushing yardage or scrimmage yardage are the two most likely baselines. While OC Mike McDaniel has teased a potential hot-hand approach, Popper has remained steadfast in his stance that Hampton is set for bellcow duties thanks in part to speed, physicality and scheme versatility. He warrants RB1 treatment right out of the gate.
  • LAC Running Back #34
    Mitchell’s box score would have looked a lot better if his 21-yard reception on a route out of the backfield had not been called back due to a penalty. Chargers starting RB Omarion Hampton played all three snaps on the opening drive before giving way to Mitchell, who played 10-of-10 snaps on the second and third drives. Fellow backup RB Kimani Vidal took the field as the Chargers’ kick returner to begin the game. He made his first appearance on offense on the Chargers’ fourth drive. Mitchell could return standalone FLEX value with big-play upside in this role. He reportedly visited the blue medical tent, but was allowed to return to the sideline. Hopefully, this is a non-issue.
  • LAC Running Back #28
    Vidal stayed in for two drives and did not catch his only target. Tonight’s start suggests Vidal is behind RB Keaton Mitchell on the depth chart. Mitchell did not play, nor did starting RB Omarion Hampton. Vidal is a proven, capable fill-in starter, but he should only be drafted as the Chargers’ RB3 at this time.
  • LAC Running Back #8
    Earlier this week, McDaniel said he plans to employ a hot-hand approach at the running back position and plans to “use all three of those guys probably every game.” NFL Daily co-hosts Gregg Rosenthal and Jourdan Rodrigue helpfully followed up on those comments, specifically regarding their fantasy football implications. McDaniel encouragingly prefaced his response by saying, “no one has to worry,” adding that benching productive players is “bad business.” If you were already bullish on one or more of Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal, these comments can be taken positively. Reading between the lines, if Hampton, the starter, proves his value as the team’s RB1, he should receive a fantasy-friendly workload.
  • LAC Running Back #8
    Speaking to reporters Monday, Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said that all three of Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell, and Kimani Vidal will be featured in the backfield this season. “Good news is I see all three of those guys performing at a very high level,” McDaniel said. “Kinda play hot hand once you’re into games.” While that’s not the best news for fantasy managers that invested second round picks into Hampton, the opportunity for the Chargers to turn heads on the scoreboard could result in a case of “a rising tide raises all ships.” McDaniel famously, and recently, made two backs top-six producers in fantasy points per game in the same season, with both Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane finishing 2023 in that range. Whether a similar situation transpires in Los Angeles remains to be seen.
  • LAC Running Back #8
    It’s the kind of thing fantasy managers hate to hear. When speaking about his running backs on Monday, McDaniel said, “I see all three producing at a very high level,” while saying the workload for each back could depend on the opponent and who has the “hot hand.” While it’s certainly concerning on the surface, we feel pretty confident in Omarion Hampton having the safest role as far as fantasy is concerned, while Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal could prove a bit more volatile. Their volatility has been baked into their ADP all offseason, as Mitchell is often going in the 12th or 13th round of drafts while Vidal often goes undrafted. It may take some time to get a good sense of McDaniel’s plans for the backfield, but we would expect a clear-cut RB1 and RB2 to emerge this season.
  • LAC Running Back #8
    McDaniel said you could see how focused Hampton was between the offseason program and the start of training camp. Coaches praising their players is nothing new, but it can’t hurt for a second-year back to catch the eye of one of the most successful play-callers in the NFL. Hampton appeared in only nine games as a rookie, and his role declined in the second half of the season. Currently going off the board as fantasy football’s RB8, Hampton needs to improve in year two to pay off his lofty ADP.

Rotoworld

  • TB Wide Receiver #11
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    Buccaneers placed WR Jalen McMillan (knee) on injured reserve.

    Imaging Monday confirmed a PCL sprain for McMillan, who will now move to injured reserve with a 6-8 week recovery timeline. The Buccaneers are also dealing with an injury to quarterback Baker Mayfield’s thumb on his throwing hand, although initial testing was positive. Now sitting at 0-3 and in last place in the NFC South, they’ll likely look to youth to attempt to save their season. On that note, no team in the division currently holds a winning record through three weeks.
  • LAC Quarterback #10
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    Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Justin Herbert must “be better.”

    It’s hard to write these quotes without sounding “clicky,” but Harbaugh was forthright at his Monday press conference when asked about Herbert’s decision-making. “Be better. Be better,” Harbaugh said before attempting to soften the blow. “And that drives Justin, that drives me, that drives his position coach, that drives (OC Mike [McDaniel). I mean, drives us all.” Harbaugh also said the team could look to simplify McDaniel’s complex scheme. “As far as the scheme going forward, all options are open,” Harbaugh claimed. When asked what that might entail, the coach responded “run, pass, up the middle, motion, no motion.” Alrighty then. It’s shocking to hear a coach talk this frankly — especially Harbaugh about Herbert — but the situation really is that dire in Los Angeles. Herbert is in the crossfire, but it could be McDaniel who is on something of a hot seat with his play-calling. Sitting at 0-3, the Chargers face the unwelcome prospect of a “must win” Week 4 contest against defending Super Bowl champion Seattle, itself coming off a rough loss. We will be benching Herbert in fantasy for that one.
  • CHI Quarterback #18
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    Bears declared QB Caleb Williams, OT Ozzy Trapilo, OG Jordan McFadden, DE Jamree Kromah, and DT Jayden Loving inactive for Week 3 against the Eagles.

    Veteran journeyman Case Keenum will start under center for the Bears while Tyson Bagent will serve as his backup after clearing concussion protocol Sunday. Expect a ground-heavy game plan from the Bears as they look to hand the Eagles their first loss of the 2026 season.
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    Eagles declared TE Dallas Goedert, QB Tanner McKee, WR Hollywood Brown, QB Cole Payton, DL A.J. Epenesa, and T Fred Johnson inactive for Week 3 against the Bears.

    No real surprises here after Goedert was ruled out earlier in the week. The team elevated veteran Zach Ertz to the active roster from the practice squad, although he remains unlikely to see a full workload after joining the team this week in the midst of recovering from a torn ACL suffered in 2025. Tanner McKee will serve as the emergency quarterback. EDGE Jonathan Greenard will make his season debut after missing the team’s first two games.
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    Rams HC Sean McVay said TE Terrance Ferguson (ankle) will likely miss Week 4 against the Eagles.

    Ferguson briefly departed after injuring his ankle in the team’s Sunday Night Football loss to the Broncos, returning for two snaps prior to departing again after his lone reception of the evening. The ankle injury now appears likely to cost the talented young tight end at least one game, with the potential for the absence to linger if the sprain is “more high than low.” McVay also relayed that fellow tight end Colby Parkinson suffered an AC sprain and is considered day-to-day. Veteran Tyler Higbee would be in line to operate as the primary receiving tight end after amassing 62 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions in Week 3, should both miss. Higbee should be added in all formats as a potential TE1 in the immediate future.
  • LA Wide Receiver #12
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    Rams HC Sean McVay said he was “hopeful” WR Puka Nacua (groin) will be able to play in Week 4 against the Eagles.

    We continue to get very little concrete news from McVay and the Rams regarding the injury, expected status, or recovery timeline for star wide receiver Puka Nacua. The most conclusive information given the previous two weeks is that the groin injury Nacua is dealing with is not related to the psoas injury he dealt with this offseason, although some have speculated that the verbiage used to describe the injury sounded like a sports hernia. Even that is pure speculation. Fantasy managers are left waiting in the holding pattern for more concrete news from their first-round fantasy selection. Davante Adams would clearly be in line to benefit from another absence after setting a career-high in receiving yards in consecutive games the previous two weeks.
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    Browns G Teven Jenkins (back) and C Elgton Jenkins (concussion) were listed as “DNP” on Monday’s estimated practice report.

    The Browns have a quick turnaround as they prepare to face the Steelers on Thursday Night Football in Week 4, making it highly unlikely that Elgton Jenkins will be able to clear concussion protocol in time to suit up. That makes the practice status of Teven Jenkins of primary concern considering an absence would mean the Browns would be without two of their starting interior offensive linemen against one of the better pass rushes in the league.
  • PIT Running Back #13
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    Steelers RB Rico Dowdle (toe) was listed as a “DNP” on Monday’s estimated practice report.

    Dowdle was unable to play in the team’s Week 3 win over the Bengals with the same issue and will likely need to get back on the practice field to have a chance to suit up on Thursday Night Football against the Browns in Week 4. Expect Jaylen Warren to see another game of workhorse usage after a 90 percent snap rate on Sunday, should Dowdle be unable to go. Warren would be a volume-based RB1 in a middling matchup in Dowdle’s absence.
  • LAC Offensive Coordinator
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    Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said he doesn’t plan to intervene in the offense if it continues to struggle.

    When asked if he had any plans of intervening, Harbaugh offered his endorsement of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, saying, “No. We trust Mike. We believe in Mike.” The 0-3 Chargers have struggled mightily out of the gate to start the season, failing to score more than 16 points in a game while also turning the ball over six times. Even in a game where the Chargers forced five turnovers off of Josh Allen and the Bills and registered four sacks, they were unable to capitalize on multiple opportunities to take the lead in the 24-16 defeat. We’ll see how long Harbaugh can go continuing to let McDaniel run the show, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the team decided to make a change if things continue in this direction.
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    NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports Titans OG Fernando Carmona “will miss a few weeks” after suffering a sprained ankle in Week 3’s loss to the Giants.

    Carmona is a rookie fifth-rounder who has started all three games for the Titans this season. He was injured on the first offensive snap of Sunday’s loss to the Giants and did not return; OG Jackson Slater replaced him for the rest of the game, and played 59 snaps while allowing only one pressure, per PFF. Slater is the favorite to take over in Carmona’s absence and should start in Week 4 against the Ravens.