After a 3-0 start, the Los Angeles Chargers have dropped their last two games. To make matters worse, the team’s Week 5 loss to the Washington Commanders came with an added cost.
Rookie running back Omarion Hampton was spotted in a walking boot by reporters following the team’s 27-10 loss to the Commanders. On Monday, head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that Hampton will go on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Harbaugh did not disclose the precise nature of the injury.
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Hampton will miss at least four weeks, per the NFL’s injured reserve rules. The earliest Hampton can return will be in Week 10 against the Steelers on Nov. 9. He’ll miss games against the Dolphins, Colts, Vikings and Titans.
Hampton, 22, had to leave in the middle of game due to the injury. Prior to leaving the contest, Hampton had 12 carries for 44 yards and six receptions for 26 yards. He had been acting as the team’s primary running back after free-agent signing Najee Harris was lost for the season with an Achilles injury.
After Hampton left the contest, the Chargers relied on a combination of Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins at running back. Neither player did much with the Chargers in catch-up mode.
While Hampton opened the season in a split role, big things are expected of the rookie over his career. The Chargers selected Hampton with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, suggesting the team believes he can be a standout NFL starter.
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The previous two games, it looked like Hampton was living up to that billing. The rookie averaged 99 rushing yards, 48 receiving yards and a touchdown over that period. With his injury in Week 5, Hampton’s breakout will be delayed.
Despite his lofty draft position, Hampton wasn’t the best rookie running back involved in Sunday’s contest. That honor belongs to Commanders rookie runner Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who broke out with 111 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Croskey-Merritt lasted until the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
