Omarion

Hampton

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.

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.

While he might not be fully recovered from his midseason ankle injury, this feels like a “rest week” for Hampton after he touched the ball 22 times against the Texans in Week 17. It’ll be hard to completely figure out the Chargers RB room — if you want to go there with them as huge underdogs against the Broncos — in Week 18. Kimani Vidal probably is the lead option at the moment.

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.

Hampton is a candidate to sit out in Week 18 against the Broncos. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has already ruled out QB Justin Herbert (hand), and told reporters earlier this week that getting his players healthy is a priority this week. Chargers backup RB Jaret Patterson could handle a decent workload, with Nos. 2 and 3 RBs, Kimani Vidal (neck) and Hassan Haskins (concussion), limited on Wednesday.