The Los Angeles Chargers have been riddled with injuries at the running back position this season and Omarion Hampton hasn't been immune to that.
Not long after Najee Harris suffered a season-ending torn Achilles, Hampton came down with his own issue after suffer an injury to his ankle that landed him on injured reserve following the Week 5 game.
Los Angeles has played in four games since Hampton was placed on injured reserve in Week 6, which means the rookie is eligible to be back this week.
But will he be back? Here's what we know on that front.
Omarion Hampton Week 10 return?
FRIDAY UPDATE: Hampton isn't going to play this week, but he did show some progress on Friday by doing work on a side field, which is the first time he has done so since suffering his injury.
Unfortunately, head coach Jim Harbaugh poured cold water on Hampton returning soon after saying the rookie running back likely wouldn't have his practice window opened until after the Week 12 bye.
"Jim Harbaugh said he does not expect Omarion Hampton’s activation window to be opened until after the Week 12 bye," The Athletic's Daniel Popper reported.
END OF UPDATE
Unfortunately, he is not.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday that he expects Hampton to remain on IR through the team's bye, which is Week 12.
"Jim Harbaugh said he does not expect Omarion Hampton’s activation window to be opened until after the Week 12 bye," Daniel Popper of The Athletic reported.
This means that the earliest we'll see Hampton on the field again is Week 13, but not even that has been confirmed.
Whatever the case may be, Hampton owners will have to find an alternative for at least three more weeks (the Chargers' next two games, plus the bye week in Week 12).
Omarion Hampton's partner
That would be Kimani Vidal, who has served as the team's lead back in each of the four games Hampton has missed.
There was concern for Vidal's role ahead of the trade deadline, as the Chargers were widely expected to add another running back before 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, but that did not happen, so Vidal's job is safe.
Vidal has had an up-and-down showing, with two good games and two bad games since taking the reins of the backfield. However, in all, Vidal ranks as RB11 overall in that span, so he's an RB2 play in all formats.
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