Chargers Rookie RB Omarion Hampton Out with Ankle Injury - IR Update & Impact on Team (2025)

Just as rookie running back Omarion Hampton was hitting his stride, a devastating ankle injury has sidelined him, leaving the Los Angeles Chargers scrambling to fill the void in their backfield. In a season already marred by injuries, this latest setback feels like a gut punch for a team that had high hopes for their dynamic rookie. Here’s the full story—and this is the part most people miss: Hampton’s absence isn’t just a loss of talent; it’s a disruption to the Chargers’ offensive rhythm at a critical juncture.

On Monday, head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed that Hampton will be placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the next four games. He won’t be eligible to return until Week 10, when the Chargers face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. Harbaugh remained tight-lipped about the specifics of Hampton’s injury, but the play that caused it was hard to miss. Late in the third quarter of Sunday’s 27-10 loss to the Washington Commanders, Hampton sprinted into the flat on a fourth-down play. As he accelerated, he tripped over the foot of Washington linebacker Frankie Luvu, immediately limping off the field. After a brief attempt to test his ankle on the sideline, Hampton was ruled out for the rest of the game.

But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Hampton’s injury preventable? Some fans are questioning whether the play call—a risky fourth-down attempt late in a losing game—was worth the potential cost. Regardless, Hampton’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the Chargers’ offense. Drafted 22nd overall in April, he had begun to justify his selection, rushing for a career-high 128 yards and a 54-yard touchdown in Week 4 against the Giants. From Week 3 to Week 5, he also added 17 catches for 122 yards, emerging as a reliable workhorse after Najee Harris’s season-ending Achilles injury in Week 3.

Now, with both Hampton and Harris on IR, the Chargers are left with Hassan Haskins as their lead back. Haskins, who averages just 3.0 yards per carry in his career, will be under the microscope. Behind him are practice squad players Kimani Vidal and Amar Johnson, with Vidal seeing limited action in recent weeks. Harbaugh hinted that the team may explore external options to bolster their running back depth, but time is of the essence.

And this is the part most people miss: The Chargers’ injury woes extend far beyond the backfield. Starting tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (high ankle sprain) are both out, while right guard Mekhi Becton has been limited by multiple injuries, playing just 51.3% of offensive snaps. Even star edge rusher Khalil Mack remains on IR with an elbow injury, ineligible to return until Week 7. This mounting injury toll raises questions about the team’s ability to compete in a tough AFC West.