The Los Angeles Chargers entered the NFL playoffs with hope, momentum, and one major concern: the health of explosive rookie running back Omarion Hampton. What unfolded instead was a frustrating night that left fans confused, analysts skeptical, and Hampton once again battling the same ankle injury that has shadowed his season.
Despite being declared “officially active” before kickoff against the New England Patriots, Hampton “barely played” in what became a crushing Wild Card loss. The decision to suit him up – only to barely use him – has now become one of the most debated storylines of the Chargers’ postseason collapse.
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Hampton active, but clearly limited
All week long, Hampton’s ankle was listed as a key injury to monitor. The rookie had missed Week 18, not for rest, but because the issue was legitimate. Cameras caught him during warmups wearing a “sizeable brace” on his right ankle – the same one that had bothered him earlier in the season.
That visual alone raised doubts about how effective he could truly be. Still, the coaching staff made the call to activate him, signaling to fans that Hampton would be part of the game plan. Instead, he finished the night with just “one carry for minus-1 yard,” a stat line that feels almost symbolic of the Chargers‘ offensive struggles.
The offense as a whole never found rhythm. Los Angeles failed to generate consistent momentum, struggled to finish drives, and couldn’t rely on the ground game when it mattered most. The result: another postseason disappointment.
A decoy role and growing questions for the NFL
Perhaps the most puzzling aspect was how Hampton was used. Many observers believe he functioned more as a decoy than an actual offensive weapon. That strategy has fueled speculation among fans, with some even calling the situation “suspicious” in the context of sports betting narratives online.
In Hampton’s absence, Kimani Vidal took over the backfield but failed to deliver a spark. Vidal recorded 11 carries for 31 yards and added 20 receiving yards on two catches. Even more concerning, he wasn’t the team’s leading rusher. Quarterback Justin Herbert finished with 59 rushing yards, an alarming stat that underscores how ineffective the running game truly was.
This is the postseason. If a player is healthy enough to be active, logic suggests they should be utilized in every possible way to win. The Chargers didn’t do that with Hampton, and the decision now looks like a costly miscalculation.
To be fair, this loss wasn’t solely about one player. No one on offense stepped up when the team needed a difference-maker. Still, Hampton’s limited usage will remain a focal point of criticism throughout the offseason.
Now, the talented rookie must wait roughly eight months for another opportunity to showcase his ability. The question is no longer whether Hampton has the talent – it’s whether his body, and the Chargers’ decision-making, will finally allow him to prove it.
