After a strong start, the Los Angeles Chargers have hit a rough patch, dropping three of their last four games.
Injuries have played a major role, with key contributors sidelined on both sides of the ball. The running back room, in particular, is being tested, as the team’s top two backs are on injured reserve.
Los Angeles had hoped veteran Najee Harris and rookie Omarion Hampton would form a dynamic backfield duo, but early-season injuries forced the Chargers to look elsewhere.
Here’s a look at the running back situation heading into Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings.
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Chargers RB depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1. | Kimani Vidal |
| 2. | Hassan Haskins |
| 3. | Omarion Hampton (IR) |
| 4. | Najee Harris (IR) |
| 5. | Nyheim Hines, Jaret Patterson, Amar Johnson (PS) |
1. Kimani Vidal
With Hampton and Harris on injured reserve, the Chargers have leaned on Vidal and Haskins as their only healthy running backs. Since Hampton’s injury, Vidal has taken the lead role, carrying the ball 31 times over the past three weeks and outpacing Haskins.
Los Angeles drafted Vidal in the sixth round in 2024 out of Troy. The 24-year-old had 43 carries for 155 yards in his rookie season and has already surpassed that mark in 2025, rushing for 162 yards on 32 carries so far.
2. Hassan Haskins
A 2022 fourth-round pick out of Michigan, Haskins spent much of his college career with Jim Harbaugh as his head coach. After two years with the Tennessee Titans, Haskins reunited with Harbaugh in Los Angeles last year.
Haskins entered the season as the Chargers' fourth-string running back, but he didn't get his first touch of the season until Week 5. With Hampton and Harris out, Haskins has produced 12 carries for 30 rushing yards and four catches for 13 receiving yards.
However, Haskins injured his hamstring and will miss the Week 8 matchup against the Vikings.
3. Omarion Hampton
Hampton was the Chargers’ first-round pick this past spring, highlighting the team’s high expectations for him. While he’s currently on injured reserve with an ankle injury, he is expected to return this season and reclaim the top spot on the depth chart.
Through his rookie season so far, Hampton has 66 carries for 314 rushing yards and three touchdowns, along with 20 receptions for 136 receiving yards.
4. Najee Harris
The longtime Steelers running back signed with the Chargers in the offseason, but the year hasn’t gone as planned. Harris injured his eye in an offseason accident but was ready for the season opener. Unfortunately, he later suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against the Denver Broncos.
He finishes the season with 15 carries for 61 yards and three receptions for 25 yards.
5. Nyheim Hines/Jaret Patterson/Amar Johnson
Los Angeles has three running backs on its practice squad, including veteran Nyheim Hines. With so many injuries to the Chargers' running back room, any of these three could find themselves in a game moving forward.
MORE: NFL power rankings for Week 8
Omarion Hampton injury update
Hampton suffered an ankle injury in the Chargers’ Week 5 matchup against the Washington Commanders, prompting the team to place him on injured reserve ahead of Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins. This designation requires him to miss at least four games.
Hampton has already missed two contests and will also sit out the upcoming games against the Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans. The earliest he could return is Week 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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