Will Omarion Hampton return in Week 14? Injury update, fantasy advice for Chargers RB

Mike Moraitis

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Will Omarion Hampton return in Week 14? Injury update, fantasy advice for Chargers RB image

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It feels like another lifetime ago that we saw Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton toting the rock in a game.

That's because it kind of has been, at least in NFL season terms. Hampton hasn't suited up since all the way back in Week 5, when he sustained what was later diagnosed as an ankle fracture.

The injury was significant enough that Hampton had to go on injured reserve, where he has been for the past seven games.

There was good news last week, though, as Hampton was designated to return from IR and he immediately got back on the practice field for Los Angeles.

While Hampton was not able to suit up for the Week 13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, there is hope that he will finally make his return to the field in Week 14.

Will Omarion Hampton return in Week 14?

MONDAY UPDATE: CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reports that Hampton "could end up returning to action and playing next Monday" against the Eagles.

When asked about Hampton's status for this week, head coach Jim Harbaugh offered up a big nothing burger on Monday.

"We opened his window, and we certainly wouldn't have done that 21-day window if he wasn't close. I feel like he's been on track, and we'll let the week play out again," Harbaugh said, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper.

END OF UPDATE

We can't say definitively that he will, but there is reason for hope and we would say that, at the very least, he's got a better than 50/50 shot to play.

Hampton took part in all three practices last week, and while he was only limited in those sessions, that's a clear sign he's moving in the right direction.

Then, Hampton stated he felt "amazing," and head coach Jim Harbaugh had a glowing review for how the rookie rusher looked in practice.

"I feel amazing. Just being back out there, it feels truly amazing," Hampton said.

“It was a good week,” Harbaugh said of Hampton's return to practice. “Really beneficial, ramping up. Everything’s on track to return, not this week.”

There's also this video out of practice that shows Hampton is moving well.

The Chargers don't play until Monday, so we likely won't get our next update on the rookie until Thursday, when Los Angeles drops its first injury report of the week.

If Hampton upgrades his participation and turns in a full session, that will be a clear sign he's likely to return in Week 14.

Omarion Hampton fantasy advice

Over his five games this season, Hampton ranked as RB10 overall, so he's a locked-in starter on a weekly basis.

However, there is one caveat upon his return, and that's the possibility that he won't have a full workload in his first game back after having missed so much time.

The Chargers can afford to do that, also, thanks to fellow rusher Kimani Vidal, who is playing at a high level for Los Angeles. But if you ask Hampton, he's hoping that's not what goes down.

"I hope it's full-go," Hampton said in regards to his usage when he returns.

We've definitely seen players get a reduced workload in their first game back from injury over the years, and sometimes their production suffers as a result.

But then we have instances like Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving, who was supposed to have a limited workload in his return from injury in Week 13 before he tallied 19 touches for 81 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.

Admittedly, Hampton will be a risky play upon his return because of the workload concern, but that won't be enough to keep him out of lineups.

We would, however, downgrade him to a flex option with upside as opposed to the borderline RB1 he was earlier in the season.

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