The Los Angeles Chargers were able to defeat the Denver Broncos on Sunday to get to 3-0 on the season, but they lost running back Najee Harris in the process.
Harris went down during the game with what has been reported as an Achilles injury. A season-ending situation has yet to be confirmed, but that is expected. That leaves the Chargers with only rookie Omarion Hampton and Hassan Haskins on the active roster.
The Chargers signed Harris for a veteran presence in the backfield this offseason, favoring his durability as he had never missed a game during his career. That has backfired as Harris was absent all summer after a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July and now this. The team is going to have to go in a new direction than it initially planned.
That direction will start with Hampton, who should get a healthy dose of work going forward. The Chargers are high on their first-round pick, but will need some options to serve in relief of him. Haskins will be the first name up, but the team should also consider turning back to Kimani Vidal, a sixth-round pick in last year's draft.
Vidal seemed to be a promising prospect after being selected out of Troy, but the Chargers only used him sparingly as a rookie. This summer, he failed to make the 53-man roster and was signed back to the practice squad after somewhat surprisingly clearing waivers.
Vidal had 155 yards rushing as a rookie to go with five receptions for 62 yards, but the first time he ever touched the ball, he scored a touchdown.
kimani vidal's first nfl touch is a td
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 13, 2024
📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/D8GD2ZOroo
Though Hampton is young, he's capable of being a bell-cow back for this offense. But the Chargers should lean into last year's late-round selection, Vidal, and stop treating him like an afterthought. He should be the player who assumes Harris' roster spot and the team should look to get him involved in Week 4 against the New York Giants.
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