Who is Omarion Hampton and Why He Matters

Omarion Hampton is a rookie running back for the Los Angeles Chargers who broke out early in the season before suffering a fractured ankle in Week 5. He stepped into a larger role after Najee Harris’ season-ending injury and quickly became an important weapon in the Chargers’ offense.

Before going down, Hampton produced about 450 total yards and three touchdowns on an efficient 4.8 yards per carry, showcasing power, vision, and receiving ability out of the backfield.[2] His performance helped stabilize the ground game and gave quarterback Justin Herbert a reliable outlet, raising expectations for his long-term role in Los Angeles.

Latest Injury Update and Return Timeline

Hampton has been sidelined since his ankle fracture, spending roughly two months away from game action while rehabbing the injury.[1] Recently, the Chargers opened his 21-day practice window and he has progressed from limited work in a yellow non-contact jersey to full participation, a strong sign that he is nearing a return.[2][3]

According to team reports and league insiders, Hampton is listed as questionable but is expected to be activated from injured reserve and play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.[1][2][3] Insiders have reported that the Chargers are activating him to the 53-man roster, with the team feeling optimistic about his health even though no official snap-count plan has been publicly confirmed.[1][2]

Impact on the Chargers Backfield and Fantasy Outlook

While Hampton has been out, running back Vidal has taken over as the primary rusher, logging more than 500 yards and three touchdowns at 4.5 yards per carry.[2] His success allows the Chargers to avoid overloading Hampton in his first game back, making a limited or rotational role the most likely scenario as the staff monitors his ankle and conditioning.[2]

For the Chargers, getting Hampton back adds depth and explosiveness to a backfield that has already been productive, potentially creating a strong one-two punch down the stretch.[1][2] For fantasy managers and bettors, however, his return introduces short-term uncertainty, as touches may be split and Hampton’s exact workload could fluctuate until the team gains confidence that he is fully back to his pre-injury form.[2]