The Los Angeles Chargers have been facing injuries all season. Their ground game took hits when Najee Harris suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, and rookie Omarion Hampton has been both a spark and a question mark since he went down in Week 5. Now Hampton, the 22-year-old first-round pick, says he’s back on the field and feeling right. Below is what he said and what it means for LA’s backfield.
“It feels good, feels great just to be back out with the guys. Couldn’t ask for nothing better.” said Omarion Hampton.
Chargers RB Omarion Hampton Issues Upbeat Health Update
Omarion Hampton
Sep 21, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) leaves the field after defeating the Denver Broncos 23-20 at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Chargers RB Omarion Hampton surprised a lot of people Wednesday by revealing the injury that knocked him out was a left ankle fracture, not just a sprain. The team’s official site ran his locker-room comments after the Chargers opened his 21-day practice window.
He returned to limited practice on Tuesday and used a straightforward word to describe the moment: amazing. That line reported byESPN came after Hampton said he was hopeful to play Sunday but would defer to medical staff. The quote and the timeline change the tone around LA’s backfield.
The 22-year-old had been one of the Chargers’ most explosive offensive pieces through Week five, piling up early touches before landing on injured reserve. Missing him forced Kimani Vidal and others to step up. Reuters documented the IR move when the injury first caused him to miss games in October.
Hampton described daily treatment, careful rehab, and staying mentally locked in, watching film, staying in meetings, and staying close to the playbook. Chargers coaches and teammates echoed relief at seeing him ramp up. The team now has until Saturday to activate him from the IR, which makes every practice rep this week a mini-audition.
This changes a lot of things. A healthy Hampton returns a dynamic, versatile runner who can spell reps, catch out of the backfield, and keep defenses honest. Chargers RB depth has been tested all year; his potential return shifts play-calling options and helps protect Justin Herbert. Expect the chargers’ staff to be cautious, and medical clearance is the final say.