EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton will be placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday.
By continuing on IR, Hampton will miss at least the next four games.
Hampton appeared to suffer the injury on a fourth-and-2 with 1:53 remaining in the third quarter of the Chargers’ 27-10 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday. The first-round rookie tripped on Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu and came up limping. Hampton did not return to the game and left the stadium with a walking boot on his left foot.
The Chargers selected Hampton with the 22nd pick in this year’s draft and signed veteran running back Najee Harris in the offseason to build the type of rushing offense that defined Harbaugh’s teams. Now, Harris suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles in Week 3, and Hampton will miss time.
Hampton had been hitting a groove since Harris’ injury and was perhaps the Chargers’ most important offensive player not named Justin Herbert. Hampton has rushed for 314 yards and two touchdowns this season. He also has 20 receptions and 136 yards.
Hampton is third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage since Week 3, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. The rookie seemed headed for another big performance in Week 5, as he was up to 70 yards from scrimmage before leaving.
With Hampton set to miss time, Harbaugh said the Chargers will turn to running backs Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal.
Harbaugh also mentioned rookie Amar Johnson, who is also on the practice squad, but the coach said the team will explore other options as well, an indication that LA is likely to bring in runners for tryouts or explore trades.
Haskins has five carries for 13 yards this season. Vidal, who is on the practice squad but was elevated over the past two weeks on Gameday, has four carries for 18 yards. Johnson never played in a regular season game but shined for the Green Bay Packers in the preseason.
Hampton adds to a long list of key Chargers players injured this season, which includes Harris, outside linebacker Khalil Mack (on IR with elbow injury), offensive tackle Joe Alt (missed Sunday’s paddle game with right ankle pallet) and left tackle Rashawn Slater (season-ending ruptured tendon).
The good news for the Chargers is that the team is opening the 21-day window for linebacker Denzel Perryman, who has been on IR with an ankle injury since Week 2, to return to practice.
