Chargers bring back running back, but should be kicking themselves for bad decision

Travis Wakeman

•
Chargers bring back running back, but should be kicking themselves for bad decision image

The Los Angeles Chargers are hurting at running back following the news that first-round pick Omarion Hampton will be placed on injured reserve. That, combined with the season-ending injury suffered by Najee Harris in Week 3 has left the team's running back room in shambles. 

With fans wondering what the team will do to fortify the offensive backfield, a minor move was made on Tuesday when the team signed veteran running back Nyheim Hines-Miller to the practice squad. Hines-Miller made a return to the league after two full seasons away and spent the preseason with the Chargers, but he didn't make the team. 

With options dwindling, Hines-Miller returns to the squad with a real chance to see action in the regular season as the only other running backs currently on the roster are Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal and Amar Johnson. Vidal and Johnson are on the practice squad as well. 

But the team would have had an option at the ready had it not cut Raheim Sanders following the preseason. 

There were some difficult decisions to make following the preseason, but that is the case for every team. Waiving Sanders, an undrafted free agent who had a terrific preseason, was seen as questionable at the time and looks really bad now. 

The Chargers were no doubt hoping that he would clear waivers so they could bring him back to the practice squad, but the Cleveland Browns foiled those plans when they claimed him off waivers. The Browns have done a great job protecting him from being poached off their practice squad by keeping him on the 53-man roster and making him a healthy scratch for all but one game, in which he scored a touchdown. 

 

At this point, the Chargers would have to trade for him if they wanted him back. Talk about a blunder. 

Having already lost their top two running backs and both their starting offensive tackles so far this season, the Chargers are really going to need some players to step up. 

The running game in Week 6 could be quite interesting when the Chargers travel to Miami to face the Dolphins. 

More Chargers Content

Chargers' trade for Ravens' pass rusher is a huge vote of confidence for rookie safety

Omarion Hampton will officially miss multiple weeks, options are slim for Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers' Keenan Allen makes NFL history in Week 5 vs. Washington

Chargers vs. Commanders Series History: Teams will meet for just the 13th time

L.A. Chargers add another offensive lineman, one who hasn't played since 2022

Travis Wakeman

Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.