Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) is stopped by Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin (20) at SoFi Stadium. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Omarion Hampton update spells trouble for Chargers run game

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 6:31 PM ET

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh loves to run the ball, but he may have to do that much less in the team's upcoming games.

In Sunday's 27-10 home loss to the Washington Commanders, rookie running back Omarion Hampton exited with a left ankle injury. On Monday, Harbaugh confirmed the North Carolina product will be placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least four games.

How does the injury change the Chargers' offensive plans?

The Chargers couldn't afford to lose another RB after one-time Pro Bowler Najee Harris suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in a Week 3 win over the Denver Broncos, especially one who looked like he could be a feature back.

Hampton — whom the Chargers selected with pick No. 22 in the 2025 NFL Draft — has already established himself as a dual-threat. Through five games, he leads the team in rushing yards (314) and ranks fourth in receiving yards (136).

Chargers rookie RB Omarion Hampton will be placed on Injured Reserve due to an ankle injury, HC Jim Harbaugh announced.

Hampton will miss at least the next four games for Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/PfHmJtoAHx
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 6, 2025

Against Washington, Hampton finished with 44 yards on 12 carries and six receptions for 26 yards. After he left, the Chargers turned to RBs Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins, and that didn't work. They combined for 31 yards on nine carries.

Haskins — who played for Harbaugh at Michigan — is listed as the team's RB3 and will likely start in Week 6's road game against the Miami Dolphins (1-4). The 2022 fourth-round pick has rushed for 195 yards and two TDs in three seasons with the Tennessee Titans and Chargers.

With that in mind, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert must carry the offense. There's plenty of reason to believe he can do that. Through five games, he has a 3-2 starting record and ranks seventh in the NFL in passing yards (1,229) and is tied for ninth in passing touchdowns (eight).

The Chargers are lucky to have an elite QB. Without Herbert, the injuries in the backfield could ruin their season.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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