Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Four touches in Week 18 loss
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Vidal rushed three times for 12 yards and caught one pass for a two-yard loss in Sunday's loss to the Broncos.
After missing Week 17 with a neck strain, Vidal returned to handle four touches in a game the Chargers punted with an eye toward the playoffs. Jaret Patterson led the backfield with eight carries for 29 yards. Vidal should have more of a role next weekend in Los Angeles' wild-card matchup with New England, but Omarion Hampton (ankle) should be ready to go as the Bolts' lead back after resting against Denver. Hampton is the preferred fantasy option of the duo.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Good to go for Week 18
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Vidal (neck) is active for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
After missing the Chargers' Week 17 loss to the Texans while recovering from a neck strain, Vidal practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday before putting in a pair of full practices to close out Week 18 prep. The Chargers still listed him as questionable on their final injury report, but the second-year running back displayed enough progress to gain clearance for the regular-season finale. With Omarion Hampton (ankle) sitting out this weekend, Vidal looks to be the favorite to draw the start out of the Los Angeles backfield, but he could struggle to run efficiently behind a banged-up offensive line while taking aim at Denver's second-ranked rush defense (89.7 yards per game).
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Questionable for Sunday
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Vidal (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Denver.
Meanwhile, Omarion Hampton (ankle) has been ruled out, and Hassan Haskins (concussion) also is listed as questionable. Because QB Justin Herbert (left hand/rest) isn't in line to play this weekend, there's a chance Vidal and/or Haskins also end up on the inactive list Sunday, a scenario that would leave the backfield to some combination of practice-squad members Jaret Patterson and Amar Johnson. Ultimately, the Chargers will need to make decisions on Vidal and Haskins about 90 minutes before a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Full practice Thursday
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Vidal (neck) practiced fully Thursday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official reports.
Meanwhile, Omarion Hampton (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, and Hassan Haskins (concussion) was limited, so at this stage the composition of the Chargers' Week 18 backfield has yet to be determined. In the wake of his full practice, Vidal is on track to be available Sunday against the Broncos, but if the team elects to rest or limit key players apart from QB Justin Herbert (who will give way to Trey Lance this weekend), it's possible that Jaret Patterson and/or Amar Johnson will be elevated from the practice squad and see their share of touches alongside Vidal in Los Angeles' regular-season finale.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Returns to practice
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Vidal (neck) returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant.
Omarion Hampton (DNP - ankle) and Hassan Haskins (LP - head) are also on the injury report, after Vidal and Haskins missed Saturday's loss to Houston. Health won't be the only factor, as Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh already said QB Justin Herbert won't play this Sunday at Denver. Other starters may also be held out or pulled early.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Inactive Saturday
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Vidal (neck) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Texans, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Vidal was listed as a non-participant in practice both Tuesday and Wednesday before being estimated as limited on Thursday's report and questionable for Saturday's contest. With Vidal having been made inactive, added touches will be available for fellow RB Omarion Hampton, which boosts the 2025 first-rounder's Week 17 fantasy prospects, while Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson are available to mix in. Vidal's next chance to see game action will arrive in Week 18, when the Chargers travel to Denver for a game that may have major playoff seeding implications.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Questionable for Saturday
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Vidal (neck) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Texans after being listed as a limited participant on Thursday's practice estimate.
Vidal was deemed a non-participant both Tuesday and Wednesday, with the running back's estimated limited listing Thursday offering hope that he may be available this weekend. Look for added context regarding Vidal's Week 17 status to arrive late Friday or early Saturday, but if he's made inactive for the Chargers' 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff, added touches would be available for fellow RB Omarion Hampton, with Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson on hand in reserve.
Vidal (neck) didn't practice Wednesday.
Vidal also logged a DNP on Tuesday, so what the running back is able to do Thursday -- if anything -- will be pivotal in terms of his chances of playing Saturday against the Texans. If Vidal is unavailable this weekend, Omarion Hampton would figure to be busy against Houston, with fellow RBs Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson in reserve.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Sits out practice
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Vidal (neck) was a non-participant in Tuesday's practice.
Vidal was forced out late in this past Sunday's 34-17 win over the Cowboys due to a neck strain and is being viewed as day-to-day ahead of the Chargers' Week 17 game Saturday versus the Texans. He'll need to upgrade to at least limited participation in practices Wednesday and Thursday to have a shot at playing this weekend.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Day-to-day with neck strain
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Vidal has been diagnosed with a neck strain and is considered day-to-day, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Vidal was forced from Sunday's 34-17 win over the Cowboys in the fourth quarter after he rushed five times for 11 yards on 21 offensive snaps. If Vidal is unable to play next Saturday against the Texans, Omarion Hampton would likely see a larger share of the backfield work, with Hassan Haskins spelling Hampton as the Chargers' RB2.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Held in check Sunday
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Vidal rushed 12 times for 33 yards and brought in his only target for 15 yards in the Chargers' 16-13 win over the Chiefs on Sunday.
Vidal logged three fewer rush attempts than backfield mate Omarion Hampton and was a lot less efficient, averaging 2.8 yards per carry to his teammate's 4.1. Vidal did at least extend his streak of consecutive games with double-digit carries to three contests, and he figures to continue enjoying a relatively robust complementary role in a Week 16 road matchup against the Cowboys next Sunday afternoon.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Split workload in win
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Vidal carried the ball 14 times for 44 yards in the Chargers' 22-19 overtime win over the Eagles on Monday. He also caught one of his three targets for 60 yards.
It's worth noting Vidal got the start in the primetime game, but the distribution of touches ended up being split right down the middle, as the returning Omarion Hampton (ankle) also recorded 15 touches in the the contest. Vidal's fantasy day was salvaged by a simple checkdown in the first half, which the rookie exploded for 60 yards to set up a touchdown on the team's opening drive, but he otherwise was kept in check on the ground. It won't get much easier Week 15 against a Kansas City team that will be playing for its playoff lives.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: RBs to Sit
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Omarion Hampton (ankle) appears on the verge of returning in Week 14 against the Eagles after being out for the past seven games, and we're probably looking at a timeshare for the Chargers, with Vidal likely in a secondary role. Even if Vidal remains the leader of this tandem for now -- he's played at least 52 percent of the snaps in every game that Hampton was out -- this isn't an ideal situation for him. Justin Herbert (hand) will either be limited or out after having surgery Monday, and the offensive line for the Chargers remains a mess. Additionally, Vidal has mostly been good in games where the Chargers have won by double digits, and the Eagles are favored in this matchup in Los Angeles. Vidal should be considered a low-end No. 2 running back if Hampton remains out, and he's a flex at best if Hampton returns.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Career-best outing in win
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Vidal tallied 25 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-14 win over the Raiders. He also caught his lone target for 11 yards.
Vidal exploded for a 59-yard scamper to kick off the scoring in the second half, by far the longest run of his young career, and that resulted in the go-ahead touchdown in a game the Raiders rarely threatened. Nominal starter Omarion Hampton (ankle) looks like he is close to making his return after a seven-game absence, which would in essence end Vidal's opportunity as the team's lead back. If this was the final hurrah, the second-year back was truly marvelous, compiling 24-plus touches for the third time in five weeks. Vidal at minimum will likely still spell Hampton, although neither back should be expected to have a big Week 14 game against a Philadelphia defense that has stifled most opponents on the ground this year.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Back in Sunday's contest
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Vidal (thigh) returned to Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Vidal had exited the contest due to a thigh issue, but he was able to return to the Chargers' Week 11 backfield, which also includes Amar Johnson and Trayveon Williams.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Can't get going against Titans
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Vidal logged 12 rushes for 30 yards in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Titans. He did not catch his lone target.
Vidal's managers had high expectations entering this favorable matchup, but he instead might have ceded clear lead-back duties while Omarion Hampton (ankle) remains sidelined. Vidal led the Chargers backfield in carries 8-2 at halftime, but he was out-carried by Jarrett Patterson 7-4 over the final two quarters. While it's possible that had to do with game script, the Chargers only briefly held a two-score lead and Patterson was also more effective with his work. Vidal should remain in fantasy consideration so long as Hampton is out, but his role is a bit murkier moving forward.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Start of the Week
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We don't know how much longer Omarion Hampton (ankle) is going to be out, but Vidal has been great in his place. In two of three games without Hampton, Vidal has scored at least 19.7 PPR points, including two outings with at least 117 rushing yards. I didn't expect him to perform as well as he did in Week 8 against Minnesota, but he dominated with 23 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown and one catch for 10 yards on two targets. And he should do well in Week 9 against the Titans, who will be without Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) again. Six running backs in a row have scored at least 16.6 PPR points against Tennessee, and Vidal should follow suit. I like him as a No. 1 Fantasy running back in all leagues.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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Vidal was awesome in Week 6 at Miami with 22.8 PPR points, and he struggled against Indianapolis in Week 7 with 7.5 PPR points. Which version of Vidal will show up in Week 8 against Minnesota? I'm concerned we might have been fooled by Vidal because of his big game against the Dolphins, who have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. The Colts are one of the best, and Vikings are almost right in the middle. Given that six teams are on a bye, Vidal will be at least a flex option in the majority of leagues, but he could struggle if he fails to score. And Minnesota has only allowed three touchdowns to running backs all season. I'm expecting Justin Herbert to be throwing a lot in this game, and Vidal's production could once again be minimal.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Stifled by Indy
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Vidal carried the ball nine times for 20 yards and caught four of five targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 38-24 loss to the Colts.
After a huge Week 6 performance against the Dolphins as the Chargers' lead back, Vidal had much less success in Week 7. While he still led Los Angeles in carries, Justin Herbert actually led the team in rushing yards with a meager 31. With Omarion Hampton (IR, ankle) likely still more than a month away from his return, Vidal will maintain his spot at the top of the depth chart heading into a Week 8 clash with a Vikings defense that just held Saquon Barkley to 44 rushing yards and 2.4 yards per carry.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Sleeper RBs
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We found out in Week 6 at Miami that Vidal will be the replacement for Omarion Hampton (ankle), and Vidal is worth using as a No. 2 running back or flex in all leagues in Week 7 against the Colts. Against Miami, Vidal had 18 carries for 124 yards and three catches for 14 yards and a touchdown on four targets. By comparison, Hassan Haskins was held to six carries for 14 yards and one catch for 9 yards on one target. Vidal should continue in the lead role, and Indianapolis has allowed a running back to score at least 12.4 PPR points in every game this season. He probably won't perform as well as he did against the Dolphins since Miami's defense is abysmal, but this matchup against the Colts is still favorable enough to trust Vidal in all leagues.
