NFL Overreactions: Daniel Jones tears Achilles, Texans beat Chiefs
USA TODAY Sports’ Prince Grimes ‘overreacts’ to some of the best games from Sunday’s Week 14 slate.
The Los Angeles Chargers have been battered by injuries all season, but they’re finally getting a key contributor back healthy in Week 14.
Rookie running back Omarion Hampton is due to make his return from an ankle injury in the Chargers’ “Monday Night Football” meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported the news of Hampton’s planned activation from injured reserve (IR) on Dec. 7.
Hampton has been out since Week 5, when he fractured his ankle in the second half of the Chargers’ loss to the Washington Commanders. The ailment was severe enough to land Hampton on IR, meaning he had to miss at least four games before returning.
After missing nearly twice that many games, the rookie running back is preparing for his first outing since Week 5 as Los Angeles closes in on clinching a playoff spot.
Is Omarion Hampton playing today?
Hampton is expected to play in Week 14 for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury in Week 5, according to NFL Media’s Rapoport.
The rookie running back was one game removed from an apparent breakout game – a 128-yard outing that included a touchdown on 12 carries against the Giants in Week 4 – when he fractured his ankle in Week 5. Hampton landed on IR after suffering the malady and missed the last eight weeks (seven games).
With Rapoport’s report on Sunday, Dec. 7, the Chargers are set to take on the Eagles – a team that has allowed the 10th-most rushing yards per game – on “Monday Night Football” with their top back healthy. Los Angeles has tallied the 12th-most rushing yards per game through 13 weeks and will hope to improve those numbers with Hampton back.
The Chargers are still missing key offensive linemen – most notably second-year tackle Joe Alt – due to various injuries, but Hampton’s return is a valuable addition to the offense.
Omarion Hampton stats
After a breakout game in Week 4, Hampton sustained an ankle injury in Week 5 and has missed every game since. Here’s how the rookie running back has performed through five games in 13 weeks entering his return on “Monday Night Football”:
- Carries: 66
- Rushing yards: 314
- Yards per carry: 4.8
- Rushing touchdowns: 2
- Receptions: 20
- Receiving yards: 136
Chargers RB depth chart
Hampton is expected to return to the Chargers in Week 14, and Haskins may return shortly thereafter. Los Angeles opened Haskins’ 21-day practice window earlier in the week, giving him a chance to return before the end of the regular season.
While Hampton missed the Chargers’ last seven games, Vidal took over as the team’s starting running back. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry in his seven starts.
