Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton is doing his best to return to the field, but the UNC product will miss at least one more week with his ankle injury. While he is practicing again, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Hampton will not be able to suit up against the Las Vegas Raiders, but this could be the last game he misses.
Omarion Hampton Injury Update: Chargers Rookie RB OUT Against Raiders
The Los Angeles Chargers have battled injury after injury last year, and first-round pick Omarion Hampton has been no exception. Originally starting the season splitting snaps with veteran Najee Harris, the rookie earned a full-time workload when the former Steeler tore his Achilles. Unfortunately, Hampton suffered a fractured ankle in Week 5, sidelining him for two months. So far this season, the rookie has recorded 314 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 66 attempts while adding 20 receptions for 136 yards through the air.
In his absence, the Chargers will once again turn to Kimani Vidal to lead their backfield. Entering the season as an afterthought, the former sixth-round pick has done a remarkable job as the emergency starter. Despite playing behind a banged-up and subpar offensive line, the Troy product has recorded 417 yards and two touchdowns on 96 carries in his six starts.
Despite the injury concerns throughout the roster, the Chargers shouldn’t need Omarion Hampton to beat the Las Vegas Raiders. Vegas believed they could make the playoffs with head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith running the show, but that hasn’t been the case thus far. The team is 2-9 through 11 games, while Smith has completed 66.6% of his passes for 2,367 yards, 13 touchdowns, and a league-worst 13 interceptions.
Main Photo: Gary A. Vazquez – Imagn Images
