Source – Chargers RB Omarion Hampton expected to return Monday

LOS ANGELES — Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton is expected to play on “Monday Night Football” against the Eagles, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Saturday.

Hampton, along with fellow forward Hassan Haskins and quarterback Justin Herbert, are listed as questionable for Week 14.

Herbert, who underwent surgery on his fractured left hand Monday, said earlier in the week that he was preparing to play against the Eagles and had limited participation in practice all week.

Hampton hasn’t played since Week 5, when he suffered a broken left ankle that placed him on injured reserve. Hampton returned to practice last week, but the Chargers decided not to activate him against the Las Vegas Raiders.

He had been practicing in the yellow jersey, which coach Jim Harbaugh gives to injured players. But during Friday’s practice, Hampton was back in blue with the rest of the offense, a sign he was progressing well.

As he did last week, Hampton said he feels ready to play and get back to his old self.

“If it’s up to me. I’ll still play,” Hampton said. “But I have to wait for the doctor. Everything they say is valid.”

Without Hampton, the Chargers relied on running back Kimani Vidal. Vidal, a 2024 sixth-round pick, was released before the Chargers’ roster was trimmed to 53 players, but he returned to the practice squad and was placed on the active roster after injuries to Hampton and Najee Harris.

Vidal, who had 43 carries for 155 yards last season, has become the “No. 1 running back,” according to Harbaugh. He had three games with 100 or more rushing yards, the most for a Chargers player in a single season since Melvin Gordon in 2018.

“It’s amazing to see him go out there and produce like he does,” Hampton said. “…Me and him, it’s going to be special.”

The Chargers took Hampton with the No. 22 pick in April, hoping that he and Harris could form the rushing offense that Harbaugh had envisioned when he was hired.

Hampton got off to a slow start to the season, but quickly became one of the Chargers’ most important players after Harris suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles in the first half against the Denver Broncos in Week 3. With Harris down, Los Angeles leaned heavily on Hampton, who erupted with a team-high 129 yards from scrimmage and his first NFL touchdown in a 23-20 victory.

Hampton had been a consistent, deadly force on the ground and a safety valve in the passing game for Herbert, catching 17 passes from Weeks 3-5, tied for second on the team with wide receiver Keenan Allen. Hampton also finished third in the NFL in scrimmage yards (364) during that span.

“I feel like I’m feeling a little more comfortable,” Hampton said. “I feel like I haven’t reached my full potential yet.”