The Los Angeles Chargers brought in two big-time running backs this offseason.
In free agency, they signed Najee Harris over from the Pittsburgh Steelers. And in the first round of the NFL Draft, they selected Omarion Hampton out of North Carolina.
In the modern NFL, 2-RB backfields are the norm, so it's safe to expect both to see plenty of work this season.
But Chargers fans and fantasy football players also want to know: Is Hampton or Harris starting Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs? With the game being played at an odd time, Friday night in Brazil, here's what we know.
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Who is the Chargers' starting running back?
On Thursday, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh provided clarity. He told Rich Eisen that Omarion Hampton, the rookie out of North Carolina, will get the start Friday night in Brazil against the Kansas City Chiefs.
For whatever reason, headlines on Wednesday suggested that Najee Harris would be L.A.'s starting RB despite coming off a Fourth of July eye injury that kept him out for the entire preseason, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
Hampton led the ACC in rushing in each of the past two seasons.
He went for 1,504 yards and 15 TDs in 2023, then 1,660 yards and 15 TDs in 2024. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry both seasons.
Is Omarion Hampton starting vs. the Chiefs?
Yes, Omarion Hampton is supposed to start against the Chiefs in Brazil.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh told Rich Eisen on Thursday that Hampton would be RB1.
That doesn't mean Hampton will start all season, because there's also the Harris injury recovery to consider, but it's noteworthy for now.
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