The Los Angeles Chargers could welcome back rookie running back Omarion Hampton for their Week 14 Monday night game against the Philadelphia Eagles, after he missed seven games with an ankle injury. Quarterback Justin Herbert's status remains uncertain following surgery on a fractured left hand sustained in the recent win over the Raiders. These developments come as the 8-4 Chargers hold the AFC's top wild-card spot.
The Los Angeles Chargers are preparing for a crucial Week 14 primetime clash with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, with potential boosts and setbacks in their lineup. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton, the No. 22 overall pick, is likely to return after being placed on injured reserve in early October following a Week 5 loss to the Washington Commanders. In his five games before the injury, Hampton led all rookies with 380 scrimmage yards, rushing 66 times for 314 yards and two touchdowns while catching 20 passes for 136 yards, including his first 100-yard rushing performance in Week 4.
Stepping up in Hampton's absence, Kimani Vidal has emerged as the Chargers' lead back over the past seven games, accumulating 525 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Vidal cleared 115 yards in three of those outings, highlighted by a 126-yard effort in Sunday's 31-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
However, that win came at a cost for the Chargers' offense. Quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a fracture in his left, non-throwing hand on the opening drive against the Raiders, taking a hit from safety Jeremy Chinn after a 10-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston. Herbert returned wearing a protective glove, completing 15 of 20 passes for 151 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also surpassed Dan Marino for the third-most passing yards (23,935) in a quarterback's first six NFL seasons. The team announced Monday that Herbert underwent successful surgery to stabilize the fracture and is listed as day-to-day. Herbert told reporters he's approaching the week as if he'll play, per ESPN, but if he cannot, Trey Lance would make his first start for Los Angeles. Lance, a former No. 3 overall pick, is 2-3 as a career starter, with his most recent outing a 20-of-34 performance for 244 yards in a loss with the Dallas Cowboys last season.
The 8-4 Chargers sit second in the AFC West behind the 10-2 Denver Broncos and hold the conference's top wild-card position with a 64% playoff probability, according to SportsLine data. Their remaining schedule includes tough matchups against the Eagles, Chiefs, Cowboys, and Texans.
