Jaret

Patterson

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.

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.

Patterson deserves credit for fighting through contact en route to a two-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but his best play occurred on the Chargers’ fourth drive. Patterson ran to the right, through a crowded box, as Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby dove toward him and landed a clean punch on the football. The rock hardly moved in Patterson’s grip, and he continued on his way to a 22-yard gain, bringing the ball to the Raiders’ 15-yard line. Patterson can be stashed until RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) returns from injured reserve.

Patterson actually out-rushed fill-in No. 1 back Kimani Vidal, but the bulk of his production came in clock-killing mode on the Chargers’ final drive. Patterson has some last-gasp contingency appeal behind Vidal, but he would undoubtedly be part of an unsatisfying committee were Vidal to become the latest Chargers back befallen by injury.

Haskins will miss his second straight game with a strained hamstring, leaving RB Kimani Vidal in the featured role. Vidal can be started as a high-end RB2 against Tennessee’s banged-up defensive front. Backup RB Jaret Patterson rushed 11 times for 30 yards last week. He can be started for those desperately in need of an active running back, though he is not guaranteed to return FLEX value.

It looks like Jaret Patterson (11/30 against the Vikings in Week 8) will saunter into a desperation FLEX role behind Kimani Vidal against the Titans in Week 9. Haskins has dealt with chest and hamstring injuries since Vidal took the lead role from him against the Dolphins in Week 6 and doesn’t look particularly close to returning.

Patterson was clearly the backup to Kimani Vidal (23-117-1), but the 25-year-old did a solid job as the backup while receiving his first NFL touches since 2022. The former University of Buffalo star could be operate behind Vidal again in Week 9 against the Titans, but that will largely be determined by the health of Hassan Haskins (hamstring).