When Omarion Hampton was held out of Week 18, the belief was it was just a case of protecting a key player in a game the Chargers didn't play a number of key starters. Today's practice report suggests there might be concern for his availability.
Hampton played throughout the team's Week 17 loss at Houston, scoring a touchdown on Los Angeles' final offensive play. He didn't practice in the leadup to Week 18, but not necessarily a big deal (Justin Herbert didn't practice two of three days either).
But Jim Harbaugh says Hampton won't practice today, due to an ankle injury. Hampton of course missed about half the season due to an ankle injury. "He's working through it, doing everything he can to get the ankle better," says Harbaugh.
It's Wednesday afternoon and the game is Sunday, so it's a little soon to say Hampton won't be available. But if I were in a playoff league drafting tonight, I'd be worried about Hampton suiting up on Sunday. And because I and most of the world expect the Chargers to lose, he becomes a guy who's not only risky to draft with the thought of playing multiple games, but risky to count on even playing his team's only game.
If Hampton winds up being out, Kimani Vidal would start, with Jaret Patterson probably a change of pace.
Here are Vidal's numbers in the seven games he was the main back with Hampton sidelined.
| VIDAL WITH HAMPTON OUT | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opp | Att | Run | Tgt | Rec | Yds | TD |
| at Mia. | 18 | 124 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 1 |
| Ind. | 9 | 20 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 0 |
| Min. | 23 | 117 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 1 |
| at Ten. | 12 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pit. | 25 | 95 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 1 |
| at Jac. | 5 | 13 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| L.V. | 25 | 126 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 1 |
| Average | 17 | 75 | 2 | 1.7 | 9 | 0.6 |
If you select Hampton in a league, probably best to make sure you secure Vidal, too. Glancing at this week's PPR rankings, we've got Hampton 9th at the position. I think Vidal might wind up 10th (just behind Rico Dowdle), but would probably do a pretty fair Hampton impression.
Patterson, incidentally, was the No. 2 in four of those games. He averaged 8 carries for 32 yards, with 1 TD. No receptions. Possible he could vulture a touchdown or something, but probably not viable as the No. 2.
--Andy Richardson