The Los Angeles Chargers have been thrust into a full-blown running back crisis, with rookie sensation Omarion Hampton placed on Injured Reserve (IR).
The move means Hampton will miss a minimum of four games due to an ankle injury suffered in the loss to the Commanders on Sunday.
This devastating blow comes after the team already lost their premier running back, Najee Harris, for the entire season with an Achilles tendon injury.
The two major absences have created a two-man race for the starting job between Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal.
The team's coach, Jim Harbaugh, has a major selection dilemma as the club faces a challenging upcoming schedule.
The two contenders for the starting job
The two backs offer completely different skillsets, suggesting that Harbaugh will utilize a committee approach.
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Hassan Haskins (The Power Back)
The 25-year-old back, who played for Harbaugh at Michigan, is the bigger of the two, making him the strong favourite for goal-line work and short-yardage situations.
Haskins has struggled with a few injuries but is the lone healthy running back on the Chargers' 53-man roster.
Kimani Vidal (The Versatile Option)
Vidal is an exciting rookie and the all-time rushing leader at Troy University.
He is known for his speed and better pass-catching chops than Haskins, which suggests he will be the main option on passing downs.
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The two young RBs are expected to share the workload, but Haskins got more of the snaps after Hampton went down on Sunday.
What the injury means for the Chargers’ offence
The sheer number of injuries in the running back room has forced the Chargers to rethink their offensive approach.
The team is now expected to lean heavily on quarterback Justin Herbert and the passing game.
The reliance on Herbert will place even more pressure on the team's already injury-decimated offensive line.
The good news for the Chargers is that both Haskins and Vidal are capable players who can contribute immediately.
Vidal is a highly-touted rookie, and Haskins is familiar with Harbaugh's system.
The team will be hoping that the two running backs can step up and fill the void left by Hampton and Harris.