Omarion Hampton nears return as Chargers open 21-day window

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — For weeks, the Chargers have been waiting for a spark. On Tuesday, they finally got one.

Rookie running back Omarion Hampton — once the heartbeat of the Chargers’ ground game — jogged back onto the practice field in El Segundo at The Bolt, helmet on, pads strapped, and with just enough bounce in his step to remind everyone why his return matters.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that the team has officially opened Hampton’s 21-day practice window, marking the first tangible step toward his long-anticipated return. Hampton hasn’t played since Week 5, when he exited the home matchup against Washington with the injury that stalled what had been one of the most promising rookie campaigns in the league.

“Good to get him back on the field and start ramping up,” Harbaugh said, sounding equal parts encouraged and cautious. It’s been his mantra the past month — patience, patience, patience — but Tuesday carried a different tone. It felt like progress.

Hampton’s activation doesn’t guarantee he’ll suit up Sunday against the Raiders at SoFi Stadium, but it does put the possibility in play. Harbaugh emphasized that the rookie’s status will be determined by how his body responds throughout the week.

“Just going to really ramp up, see how the week goes,” he said. “Good to get him back out there.”

For the past few weeks, Hampton has been working off to the side as practice goes on — rehabbing, conditioning, waiting — simply rejoining the team in full capacity is a major checkpoint. Earlier this month, Harbaugh hinted a post-bye return was realistic, and now it appears that timeline is holding.

Before the injury, Hampton had quickly become one of the Chargers’ most productive weapons, rushing 66 times for 314 yards and two touchdowns. His blend of power and acceleration gave the offense its most consistent early-season identity, and for a team trying to balance a developing passing attack with Harbaugh’s trademark physicality, his absence has been glaring.

Kimani Vidal has done a remarkable job filling in for the Chargers during Hampton’s absence. Vidal suffered a thigh injury during Week 11 against the Jaguars and left the game. Vidal did return to the game but was limited. Vidal is expected to play in Week 13 against the Raiders.

Harbaugh noted that touches between Vidal and Hampton, with his return looming, could be considered during this week's practice.

"We'll see how the week goes."

In many ways, Hampton looked every bit the first-round pick the Chargers believed he could be when they drafted him 22nd overall out of North Carolina in the spring. Now, with the stretch run looming and the AFC pack tightening, his return could be the jolt this offense needs.

The Chargers won’t rush him — not with long-term value in mind and not with three backs already handling the rotation — but the significance of getting Hampton back on the field isn’t subtle. It’s a sign the Chargers may finally be inching toward full strength. It’s a sign that an offense searching for rhythm could soon get its most dynamic runner back.

And it’s a sign that one of the most intriguing rookies in the league is close to writing the next chapter in a season that was just starting to take off before it was interrupted.

For now, the Chargers will watch, wait, and see how Hampton responds. But for the first time since Week 5, the Bolts’ backfield looks whole again — or at least close to it. And that alone feels like momentum.