Omarion

Hampton

“If McDaniel can build a top-five offense, Hampton will be an essential part in that process,” Popper writes while noting that he “has a chance to be one of the best running backs in the league. That is not hyperbole.” It seems some of you have already caught on as Hampton is being drafted ahead of backs like Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Walker, and Derrick Henry as a top 10 RB by ADP. Assuming he can avoid the injuries that derailed his rookie season, Hampton has a chance to finish as one of the best backs in fantasy football this season.

Huge, if true. For his part, Hampton seemed unfamiliar with Davis’ game but vowed to “check out his highlights.” This might seem like a silly summer storyline — and, to be clear, it is — but it does at least serve to highlight that Hampton remains comfortably ahead of free agent addition Keaton Mitchell, who has taken up lots of digital ink this offseason. McDaniel’s comparison means very little, but you don’t throw out the name Terrell Davis for a back you aren’t planning to be one of the cornerstones of the offense. Currently being drafted in the low-end RB1 range, Hampton’s ADP is sky high considering his limited rookie accomplishments, but he could end up being in the right place at the right time with McDaniel’s proven fantasy system coming to Los Angeles.

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.

Popper, like other observers and analysts, says Mitchell is a great fit for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s rushing offense. Mitchell last week signed a two-year contract with LA worth $9.3 million. The explosive Mitchell, who last season ran for 341 yards at a 5.8 yards per carry clip in Baltimore, compares favorably to De’Von Achane, who was one of the NFL’s most efficient backs in McDaniel’s system in Miami. Though Omarion Hampton is likely to remain the Chargers’ lead back in 2026, Mitchell could see a handful of designed touches that might make hum flex viable in what should be a run-first Bolts offense. Mitchell would have a shot at RB1 duties in 2026 if Hampton once again struggles with injuries.

Hampton was evidently just an emergency option for the Chargers this evening. The big-bodied back, drafted 22nd overall by the Chargers, dealt with injuries in both ankles this season. He was sidelined in Weeks 6-13 after fracturing his left ankle in Week 5. He then injured his right ankle late in the season, though it is unclear when exactly it happened. The Chargers rested key starters in Week 18, Hampton among them. He rushed 124 times for 545 yards and four touchdowns, and caught 32-of-34 targets for 192 yards and one touchdown. Hampton warrants low-end RB1 treatment entering 2026, but his inability to stay on the field in his rookie season is a bit concerning.

Hampton got in only one limited practice during the week, one where he was spotted wearing a “big brace.” That’s the long way of saying we have no idea of how healthy he might be in New England, but we would bet on him leading the Chargers’ backfield in touches. The Pats’ run defense has taken on water of late, making Hampton a nice risk/reward DFS option. Inactive for the Bolts are CB Isas Waxter, S Kendall Williamson, EDGE Bud Dupree, EDGE Kyle Kennard, OT Austin Deculus, WR Dalevon Campbell and TE Tyler Conklin.

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.

He is spotted wearing a “big brace” on his right ankle. It seems like Hampton is going to make the questionable line despite not practicing in either of the first two sessions of the week, but beyond that we couldn’t speculate much on his chances at playing time at this moment. We’ll get a second update later today when the injury report comes down, but Hampton is officially on shaky ground as a Playoff Best Ball/DFS play this weekend.

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.

Harbaugh said that Hampton is “working through it” and “doing everything he can” to get the ankle better. Hampton neither practiced nor played last week, as the Chargers shut down multiple key starters, giving off the impression that Hampton’s absence was more of a precautionary move than anything else. Harbaugh’s comments, coupled with Hampton’s absence, suggest he is still working his way back from the ankle fracture he suffered in Week 5. Hampton’s per-game touch counts increased each week after the talented rookie resumed playing in Week 14, culminating in a 22-touch outing in Week 17. It was his second-largest workload of the year. We still think Hampton has strong odds of suiting up for the Chargers’ Wild Card Round game against the Patriots, though his practice participation should be followed closely.