Rookie first-round pick Omarion Hampton might be just the jolt the Chargers need on Monday night when the Philadelphia Eagles visit Los Angeles.
With Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert sitting out practice following surgery Monday on his broken left hand, coach Jim Harbaugh said there is good news for the team on the running back front.
After missing seven games with an ankle injury, Hampton was on the practice field with the Chargers on Thursday and trending toward his first game since leaving the Oct. 5 loss to the Commanders. Hampton was officially listed as being limited in practice.
Because of Kimani Vidal’s 126-yard game last week against the Raiders, the Chargers might be less inclined to push Hampton back on the field.
“That question will be answered as the week unfolds,” Harbaugh said. “But what can I tell you: He’s on track and looking good.”
The Chargers’ initial injury report for Week 14 is due Thursday because of the Monday night kickoff.
Hampton averaged 4.8 yards per carry before he was injured, taking over the bulk of the carries after Najee Harris suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 3.
Hampton has 66 carries for 314 yards and two scores, including a highlight-reel 54-yard touchdown run against the Giants in Week 4.
Trey Lance ran the first-team offense on Wednesday with Herbert nowhere near conceding his hand injury could keep him on the sideline Monday.
Hurt in last week’s win, Herbert underwent surgery to put a plate and screws in his left (non-throwing) hand to expedite healing of the broken bone a day later.
Herbert had yet to hold a football since the surgical procedure ahead of the Thursday practice, in which he was listed as limited.
Still, Herbert said, “The plan is to prepare as if I’m going to play and see how the next couple of days goes. Do everything I can to be out there for the team and the guys out there.”
Harbaugh said of the possibility of Herbert being the starter Monday: “We’re optimistic that that’s going to be the case.”
Herbert, 27, has completed 66.9% of his passes this season for 2,842 yards with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Chargers (8-4) have won four of their past five games to sit in the top AFC wild-card position.
Since Los Angeles selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 draft, Herbert owns a 49-42 record as a starter. He has connected on 66.5% of his passes, throwing for 23,935 yards and 158 TDs with 55 interceptions.
–Field Level Media
