Vikings Dodge a Huge Bullet for Next Primetime Game
The Philadelphia Eagles take on the New York Giants in the Week 6 edition of Thursday Night Football, but in two weeks, the Minnesota Vikings will face the Los Angeles Chargers in the same forum — a team that won’t have rookie running back Omarion Hampton in the huddle.
In two weeks, the Minnesota Vikings will face the Los Angeles Chargers, and because of injury, one bullet has already been dodged for TNF.
Los Angeles placed Hampton on injured reserve this week, cancelling his participation in the next four games at minimum.
No Omarion Hampton for Chargers against Vikings
The rookie tailback has an ankle injury.
Due to Injury, Vikings Avoid Omarion Hampton
Hampton is on the shelf, and he won’t be back until November at the earliest.
The Chargers’ communication team announced this week, “The Los Angeles Chargers today placed running back Omarion Hampton on Reserve/Injured. In a corresponding move, the team signed running back Kimani Vidal to the active roster from the practice squad. In addition, the Bolts signed running back Nyheim Hines to the practice squad.”
“A sixth-round pick of the Chargers in 2024 (181st overall), Vidal saw action in 10 games for the Bolts in his rookie season. He was a standard elevation for the Chargers in Weeks 4 and 5, marking 12 games played for his career and adding a one-yard catch, four carries for 18 yards (4.5 avg.) and returning a kickoff for 25 yards.”
The IR trip rules Hampton out for the showdown against Minnesota, a blow because Hampton was cooking as a rookie.
A Kimani Vidal & Hassan Haskins Duo Instead
Once upon a time — like a month ago — the Los Angeles employed a formidable running back duo with Hampton and his counterpart, Najee Harris.
Now, both are on the shelf.
So, Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins will get the nod. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh recently said about the pair, “They both played well in the game, and I think their time to shine.”
Vidal is a load at 5’8″ and 215 pounds, tabulating 217 yards from scrimmage as a rookie in 2024 (4.5 yards per touch). Los Angeles pulled him from Round 6 of last year’s draft, and some considered him a deep fantasy sleeper, which has not come to fruition just yet.
Haskins is even bigger at 6’2″ and 230 pounds, a Michigan alumnus — Harbaugh’s previous employer — found by the Tennessee Titans in Round 4 of the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s banked 195 rushing yards in four seasons, with a measly 3 yards per carry.
Possible Return of Aaron Jones on the Same Night
Concurrently, Vikings running back Aaron Jones will be eligible to return from injured reserve during the Los Angeles game after nursing a hamstring injury. It is unclear during the bye week whether Jones will be fully ready by Week 8, but based on the original prognosis, returning in or near Week 8 should be tentatively expected.
Without Jones, Minnesota has turned to upstart tailback Jordan Mason, who has filled in admirably as the primary RB1.
When Jones is back, Jones may take on the RB2 role.
The Chargers’ Offense
Behind Justin Herbert and Hampton for about five weeks, the Chargers’ offense ranks 19th in the per DVOA. The passing attack ranks 21st, with Hampton’s efforts helping Los Angeles check in at No. 15.
EPA/Play confirms DVOA’s suspension. That metric, which estimates the number of points added per play, places Harbaugh’s offense at 24th.
While Los Angeles might have tricked some to start the season, mainly because Herbert is consistent and Hampton performed well, the Chargers’ offense is not a juggernaut. Vikings fans should note that for two weeks from now.
More on Hampton’s Injury from ESPN
ESPN’s Kris Rhim provided more details on Hampton’s injury and Los Angeles’ options: “The Chargers selected Hampton with the 22nd pick in this year’s draft and signed veteran running back Najee Harris in the offseason to build the type of rushing offense that has defined Harbaugh teams.”
“Now, Harris suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles in Week 3, and Hampton will miss time. Hampton had been hitting a groove since Harris’ injury and was perhaps the Chargers’ most important offensive player not named Justin Herbert. Hampton has rushed for 314 yards and two touchdowns this season. He also has 20 receptions and 136 yards receiving. Hampton is third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage since Week 3, trailing Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.”
Los Angeles has a 56.8% chance of reaching the playoffs, according to DVOA.
“The rookie looked to be heading toward another big performance in Week 5 as he was up to 70 scrimmage yards before exiting. With Hampton set to miss time, Harbaugh said the Chargers will turn to running backs Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal. Harbaugh also mentioned rookie Amar Johnson, who is on the practice squad as well, but the coach said the team would also explore other options, an indication L.A. is likely to bring in running backs for tryouts or explore trades,” Rhim continued.
“Haskins has five carries for 13 yards this season. Vidal, who is on the practice squad but has been elevated the past two weeks on gameday, has four carries for 18 yards. Johnson never has played in a regular-season game but shined for the Green Bay Packers in the preseason.”
Minnesota defeated Los Angeles the last time the two franchises played in California in 2019. The Chargers defeated the Vikings in a 2023 game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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