Kimani Vidal waited in the shadows of a tailback logjam.

The one-two punch of Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton blocked a route to consistent playing time. However, after Harris and Hampton were placed on injured reserve, questions arose about who would lead the Chargers ’ running game behind its deteriorating offensive line.

Vidal, the second-year running back who played sporadically last season, didn’t make the 53-man roster to begin the season. The Troy University alumnus finally earned his opportunity to start for the first time last Sunday against Miami.

“I was most excited about him as next man up,” coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters last week. “[It’s] not another game to him. It’s the game.”

And Vidal flourished. He rushed for 124 yards on 18 carries and also tallied a

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