**[Kimani Vidal](https://www.chargers.com/news/kimani-vidal-fantasy-week-7-colts-rb-fantasy-waivers)** made an interesting point after Thursday's game.
"I feel like teams don't expect us to run the ball because we're out our top two backs. Top three, actually," Vidal said.
Perhaps opposing defenses should start paying attention.
The Chargers are obviously down first-round rookie Omarion Hampton, who is on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury. Najee Harris is out for the season with an Achilles injury. And Hassan Haskins, the third back, missed Thursday's game with a hamstring issue.
No worries for Vidal, who rushed for 117 yards and his first NFL rushing touchdown against the Vikings.
"We're really lucky to have him," Herbert said of Vidal. "To lose \[three\] backs like that, that are as good as they get, it's tough to replace them.
"I think Kimani's done such a good job of stepping up and making plays. The past couple of weeks he's done an awesome job, whether it's catching or running out of the back field," Herbert added. "He is a true leader, great teammate on this team and glad to have him."
Vidal's 117-yard outing comes after his 124-yard performance in Miami in Week 6.
The 5-foot-8, 215-pound back has shown some juice, too, as he broke multiple tackles on his touchdown run and invited contact against Vikings defenders.
"I feel good," Vidal said. "Beginning of the season, I was fresh so my body felt good. We had a great plan and the O-line did great."
With the 2025 trade deadline looming on November 4, Vidal has now put together a pair of 100-yard performances in the past three games.
That means he could potentially be an option to pair with Hampton once the rookie returns from IR.
"Guys getting their opportunity, you know? They're getting their opportunity and they're capitalizing and making the most of it," Harbaugh said.
Perhaps none more than Vidal.
**5\. Secondary limits Vikings WRs**
The Bolts knew the challenge that waited them Thursday night with Minnesota's three-headed wide receiver group of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Adam Thielen.
It turned out to be a quiet night for that group.
Sure, Jefferson had seven catches for 74 yards, but it seemed as if he was never really a threat when the Vikings offense was on the field.
And while Addison caught a touchdown, he was limited to 26 yards on three receptions. Thielen had zero catches on a pair of targets.
Kudos to Chargers second-year cornerback Cam Hart, who shadowed Jefferson for most of the night and had a team-high three passes defensed.
"We played two great receivers in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison," Hart said. "That was the emphasis all week, don't let their playmakers hurt us.
"That's something I take pride in if there is a guy on their offense that we know we have to stop, make sure we handle our business versus them," Hart added. "Then be 100 percent on the things, be 100 percent on running to the ball, be 100 percent on your effort, be 100 percent on your discipline and eyes. It leads to great things."
It led an all-around convincing performance from a Bolts defense that, as Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter said earlier this week, was looking to "reclaim our identity."
The Chargers allowed a season-low 164 yards Thursday night, and only 135 when Wentz was in at quarterback.
"It was special, man. But it's a testament to, you know, all 11 guys working hard together," Mack said. "Make plays and dominate the football game."