Omarion Hampton injury update: Chargers make major decision on RB's status after hurting ankle

The Chargers are placing rookie running back Omarion Hampton on the injured reserve with an ankle injury, according to head coach Jim Harbaugh. He will be forced to miss at least the next four games.

Hampton exited Sunday afternoon’s game against the Washington Commanders in the third quarter and did not return. He faked taking a handoff on a play action pass and was tripped up by a defender as he began to run his route. The Chargers RB limped off the field before being check out by LA training staff.

He’s going to miss time. Ankle injury,” Harbaugh confirmed. “We will put him on IR to return so he’ll miss at least four games and then he’ll return as soon as he can after that.”

He finished the game with 12 carries for 44 yards before leaving with injury. He also caught all six of his targets for 26 yards as well.

So far on the season, the rookie from North Carolina has totaled 66 carries for 314 yards and two touchdowns. Harbaugh expressed his disappointment at losing a key player in his offense for an entire month of action, at least.

“He has been really getting in a really good rhythm, playing well,” Harbaugh continued. “Special player. That was an unfortunate occurrence.”

With Hampton out, there injuries have stacked up quickly in the backfield for the Chargers. Los Angeles lost Najee Harris for the season with an Achilles injury, so the team will be forced to turn toward Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal for extra production. Harbaugh hinted that the team may “look at other avenues as well.”

Haskins finished Sunday’s game with five carries for 13 yards. Meanwhile, Vidal has four attempts totaling 18 rushing yards. Amar Johnson is also on the LA practice squad.

Still, the Chargers will hope to have Hampton back once the allotted four weeks are up. The Los Angeles brass have high hopes for his abilities, selecting him No. 22 overall in the first round during April’s 2025 NFL Draft.

During his time at UNC, Hampton totaled over 3,500 rushing yards — fourth most in school history — and 36 touchdowns on the ground. He wrapped up his career there with 4,200 all-purpose yards and 40 total touchdowns, once again placing him in fourth in program history in all-purpose yardage.

Once he returns, Hampton will look to continue his productive start to the year. At the time of his injury, he ranked top 20 in all major running back statistics (carries, yards, touchdowns).