Kimani

Vidal

Vidal, Moton said, could drop to RB3 on the Chargers’ depth chart this offseason if free agent signing Keaton Mitchell is healthy following a 2024 knee injury that kept him sidelined for much of the 2025 season in Baltimore. The Chargers in march re-signed Vidal to a one-year deal as an exclusive rights free agent after he ran for 643 yards and three touchdowns during the 2025 season. He also caught 16 passes on 20 targets, mostly when Omarion Hampton was sidelined with injury. Look for Mitchell to gain steam in fantasy circles if Vidal leaves LA in the coming weeks or months.

He begins the offseason as the likely backup to Omarion Hampton. Vidal had a 155/643/3 rushing line last year and managed a few big weeks against weaker run defenses. We wouldn’t be totally surprised if Vidal continued to be fantasy-interesting this year, especially given how often Hampton was banged up in his first season in the NFL.

Vidal functioned as the Chargers’ clear-cut lead back against the Patriots this evening. The compact back proved his value this season, playing effectively as a featured starter with Omarion Hampton sidelined by ankle injuries for much of the year. Vidal rushed 155 times for 643 yards and three touchdowns, and caught 16-of-20 targets for 136 yards and one touchdown. It is unclear whether he will offer standalone FLEX value in 2026, but he has proven himself as a high-upside bench stash option moving forward. He banked four weekly RB1 finishes this season.

He was a limited participant in practice today, but told reporters he plans to play. It sure sounds like he’ll be playing through this on Sunday, which forecasts more work for the backups than it did in Hampton’s last healthy game where he handled 81 percent of the snaps against the Texans in Week 17. Hampton is Los Angeles’ best back, but we expect a healthy dose of Kimani Vidal along side him if Hampton plays on Sunday.

This is unfortunate. Chargers OC Greg Roman told reporters, before practice, that RB Hampton would be “involved some today” in practice. Instead, Hampton worked off to the side. Roman added that Hampton is “working through his process with the medical group” and is “ready mentally with the game plan.” That last bit makes it sound like Hampton is preparing as though he really does have a chance to play. Two absences to begin the week are worrying, though. No. 2 RB Kimani Vidal would likely operate as the team’s starter if Hampton is unable to face the Patriots this week.

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.

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.

He’d figure to be the lead back against the Broncos if cleared, but Vidal certainly is no guarantee to play after just getting back to full work on Thursday. Vidal has enough receiving chops to be on the RB2/RB3 line against a tough Broncos defense, but this script should quickly take him to passing game work with Trey Lance involved.

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 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.