Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) carries the ball against the Washington Commanders at SoFi Stadium.

Omarion Hampton's rookie season has been quite the ride.

The running back initially started as a backup to Najee Harris on the Los Angeles Chargers' depth chart. He slowly began to earn more opportunity before Harris' season-ending Achilles injury thrust him into the RB1 role.

It didn't take long for that to change, however. Hampton would only make it through one full game before picking up an injury of his own. The ankle ailment has sidelined him since Week 5 and his stint on injured reserve has been lengthy.

There might finally be a light at the end of the tunnel though.

While Kimani Vidal has filled in admirably, the Chargers would welcome their rookie back with open arms. Depth has been tested all over the field for Los Angeles in 2025, so it must've been nice to get some good news for the first time in a long time.

Here's the latest on Hampton.

When will Omarion Hampton return?

Hampton could return as early as Week 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The running back is set to return to practice after the Chargers opened his 21-day practice window, designating him to return. It's not a guarantee that Hampton plays in Week 13, but the practice reports will tell the story this week.

It was the plan all along for head coach Jim Harbaugh, who previously told reporters that the idea was Hampton would be out through the Week 12 bye week.

Harbaugh told reporters on Nov. 25 that the team will see where Hampton is at and ramp him up throughout the week. There is no definitive timeline for the rookie's return to action.

Hampton has been eligible to come off injured reserve since Week 10 and was seen working off to the side at Chargers' practice on Nov. 7.

Now, L.A. can get a true gauge of where the rookie is in his recovery.

If all goes well, the return will come sooner rather than later.

Chargers RB depth chart

  • Omarion Hampton (injured reserve)
  • Najee Harris (injured reserve – out for season)
  • Kimani Vidal
  • Hassan Haskins (injured reserve)

Depth has become a problem for the once-deep Chargers' running back room. Vidal has stepped up to become the RB1 in Hampton's absence, but Haskins also fell victim to injury and landed on injured reserve.

Even with those injuries, Harbaugh's team has been capable of running the ball without its top two backs.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will Omarion Hampton return? Injury update for Chargers RB

Reporting by Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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