Fantasy Football News

We spend most of our time trying to discern what coach speak should mean for how we value certain players in fantasy. But a reporter asked Chargers OC Mike McDaniel about the planned work share in his backfield this season, and he answered by speaking directly to us.

ESPN's Dan Graziano visited Chargers camp this week and came away with this note: "Keaton Mitchell, if healthy, should be a factor in this offense."

The Chargers are signing RB Keaton Mitchell to a two-year deal, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Mitchell will get $9.25 million in all, with $5 million of that guaranteed. Mitchell spent the past three years with Baltimore after arriving as an undrafted free agent. He hit the open market after the Ravens elected not to tender him as a restricted free agent.

Chargers RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) is active for tonight's Wild Card game vs. the Patriots. The rookie was wearing an ankle brace in his limited practice on Friday and is a safe bet to be operating at less than 100% in this one. But we are projecting Hampton to lead Los Angeles' backfield, ahead of RB Kimani Vidal.

Chargers RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday night's Wild Card game vs. the Patriots. He only got in a limited practice on Friday but said that he expects to play. We'll look for further updates on the rookie's status, but it's safe to assume he'll be at far less than 100% if he does suit up. That could mean more RB Kimani Vidal.

Chargers RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) missed practice again on Thursday. "We’re gonna wait and see on that," OC Greg Roman said of the rookie. "He’s working through his process with the medical group. He’s ready, mentally, with the gameplan, and then we’ll have to wait and see." We'll see if Hampton practices on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report for Sunday night's game vs. the Patriots.

Chargers RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. We assumed he was held out of the regular-season finale more for rest purposes, but it now looks like he's legitimately hurt. HC Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that Hampton is "doing everything and anything he can to get back." We'll keep tabs on the rookie's status over the next few days. If he misses Sunday night's game vs. the Patriots, Kimani Vidal would step in as Los Angeles' lead back.

Chargers RBs Kimani Vidal (neck) and Hassan Haskins (concussion) are active for today’s game vs. the Broncos. With RB Omarion Hampton out, we’re expecting Vidal to lead the backfield. But he’s an unexciting fantasy option with the Trey Lance-led Chargers huge underdogs in this one.

Chargers RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Broncos. The rookie didn’t practice all week, so it’s unclear if he’s actually hurt or is just getting the week off ahead of the playoffs. RBs Kimani Vidal (neck) and Hassan Haskins (concussion) are both listed as questionable but put in full practices on Friday and should be available. We’re projecting Vidal to lead the backfield, but it’s not an upside fantasy spot with the Chargers 12.5-point underdogs in Denver.

Chargers RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice, while RB Kimani Vidal (neck) was a full-go. We're expecting Hampton to be held out of Sunday's game vs. the Broncos, along with other key starters. It looks like Vidal will be available, though, leaving him as the best bet for touches in the backfield. That puts Vidal on the Week 18 radar, although it's tough to get excited about the upside with the Trey Lance-led Chargers 12.5-point underdogs in Denver.

Chargers RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. The rookie seemed to make it out of last week's loss to the Texans ok. But HC Jim Harbaugh already announced that QB Justin Herbert won't play in Sunday's game vs. the Broncos, and it wouldn't be surprising if Hampton was also held out. RBs Kimani Vidal (neck) and Hassan Haskins (concussion) were limited on Wednesday.

Chargers RB Kimani Vidal (neck) is inactive for today's game vs. the Texans. That leaves Hassan Haskins as Los Angeles' No. 2 RB and should mean more work for RB Omarion Hampton. The rookie checks in 18th in the Week 17 RB rankings.

Chargers RB Kimani Vidal (neck) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game vs. the Texans. He only got in a limited practice on Thursday. Vidal shouldn't be in your Week 17 fantasy plans, but his absence would be a noticeable boost for RB Omarion Hampton.

Chargers RB Kimani Vidal is considered "day to day" with a neck strain suffered in the Week 16 win over the Cowboys, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "Vidal could miss time, but the belief is that it's not serious," Rapoport adds. We'll start the week projecting Vidal to miss Saturday's game vs. the Texans, which would leave Hassan Haskins as the No. 2 RB and likely mean a significant boost in volume for RB Omarion Hampton.

Chargers RB Kimani Vidal is questionable to return to Sunday's game vs. the Cowboys with a neck injury. His absence should mean more Omarion Hampton, with Hassan Haskins as the No. 2 RB. We'll update Vidal's status when we know more.

RB Omarion Hampton led the Chargers in carries (15) and rushing yards (61) in Sunday's win over the Chiefs. He edged Kimani Vidal by three carries and matched his one target. But Hampton also trailed Vidal in playing time for the second straight week, powered by the Chargers favoring Vidal in passing situations. L.A. remained basically even in pass-run split, with 33 dropbacks vs. 29 designed run plays vs. Kansas City.