The Los Angeles Chargers could not have asked for a better start to the season, sitting at 3-0 and looking like the team to beat in the AFC West. But injuries are starting to pile up for the team and now, running back Najee Harris is going to miss the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles.
This will force the team to rely heavily on first-round pick Omarion Hampton and it could open the door for last year's sixth-round pick, Kimani Vidal, to get another look. Vidal is currently on the practice squad and the only other running back on the active roster is Hassan Haskins.
Jim Harbaugh is going to want to grind teams out with his running game at some point this season, even if that has not been the team's strength through three games. It seems that the team should look for some more help, and there are some serviceable options out there.
Los Angeles Chargers free-agent running backs to consider
Jamaal Williams
Jamaal Williams is now 30 years old and his best days as an NFL runner are behind him, but as a situational player, he fits what Harbaugh likes to do perfectly. He is a straight-ahead pounder who can be a huge weapon in goal-to-go situations.
Originally a fourth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2017, Williams has also played for the Detroit Lions and, most recently, the New Orleans Saints. His 17 rushing touchdowns in 2022 with the Lions lead the entire league.
For his career, Williams has rushed for 4,122 yards and 32 touchdowns while also catching 187 passes.
Gus Edwards
Another smashmouth style runner, Gus Edwards was with the Chargers last season after being one of the first free agents signed by new head coach Harbaugh. The Chargers released him back in March after he rushed for just 365 yards last season while averaging only 3.6 yards per carry.
But that was just before signing Harris as the team had different plans. Now that those plans have backfired, it would make sense to bring Edwards back into the fold unless a better option presents itself.
D'onta Foreman
D'onta Foreman has bounced around the league since being selected in the third round in 2017, playing for seven different teams. He was most recently with the Cleveland Browns and started in three games for them last season.
His experience in the league in multiple systems makes him an intriguing option and though his success has been fairly limited, he's a player who could come on in a pinch and be ready to perform.
Joshua Kelley
Another name familiar to Chargers fans, Joshua Kelley was a fourth-round pick of the team in 2020, but he could never get much playing time behind Austin Ekeler.
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He rushed for 1,148 yards and six touchdowns in four seasons with the team, flashing some game-breaking ability at times. The team moved on from him following the 2023 season and he had short stints with the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans after that. Kelley is still only 27 years old and though it would likely be a last resort to bring him back, he's likely at least worth a look in a tryout.
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