Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal has been active for just two games this season and recorded his first five touches in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders, finishing with 19 yards from scrimmage. However, with Chargers RB1 Omarion Hampton (ankle) potentially facing missed time due to an ankle injury, Vidal could be battling with Hassan Haskins for the lead rushing role in Los Angeles. Both Haskins and Vidal played exactly 14 snaps in Week 5, with Haskins earning one more touch. That could suggest an equal split between the two backs going forward if Hampton does indeed miss game action. Still, Vidal is now worth rostering in fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams due to his potential to seize the RB1 role for the Chargers if Hampton is sidelined. Los Angeles has a very favorable matchup in Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins, who just allowed 239 rushing yards to the Carolina Panthers in Week 5.
Oct 6, 2025 10:54 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal has been elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's Week 5 contest against the Washington Commanders. Vidal made his season debut last week, taking the roster spot of Najee Harris (Achilles). He played three percent of the offensive snaps and did not register a touch, but he did have a 25-yard kick return. He should occupy a similar depth role this weekend, playing on special teams while Omarion Hampton and Hassan Haskins handle the bulk of the offensive snaps.
Oct 4, 2025 5:02 PM EST
The Los Angeles Chargers elevated running back Kimani Vidal to the active roster on Saturday ahead of the Week 4 matchup with the Giants. Last season, the 24-year-old logged 43 carries for 155 yards, adding five catches (nine targets) for 62 yards and a touchdown. However, he hasn't appeared in a game for the Bolts through the first three weeks of the 2025 campaign. With Najee Harris (Achilles) done for the rest of the year, Omarion Hampton should see even more work out of the backfield. While Vidal could get some touches alongside Hassan Haskins in the Week 4 meeting with the New York Giants, that won't make him a reliable option in any fantasy format. For now, managers can keep Vidal out of the starting fantasy lineup and off the roster altogether.
Sep 27, 2025 8:14 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that running back Kimani Vidal will be the "next man up" after Najee Harris suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in the Week 3 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, according to Alex Insdorf. Harbaugh also said that general manager Joe Hortiz will be "scouring the market" to see what else is available at the RB position. The Chargers are expected to lean on rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton as their lead back moving forward, with Harris done for the year, with Vidal and Hassan Haskins mixing in behind him in change-of-pace duties. Vidal, a former sixth-rounder in 2024, did not make the active 53-man roster out of training camp and was sent to the practice squad. The 24-year-old averaged 3.6 yards per carry for 155 rushing yards on 43 attempts in his rookie season. Vidal can probably remain on the waiver wire for now in most single-year fantasy leagues.
Sep 23, 2025 5:27 PM EST
The Los Angeles Chargers waived running back Kimani Vidal on Tuesday, but Vidal is expected to return to the team via its practice squad, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. With Najee Harris (eye) able to avoid a trip to the NFI list, Vidal lost the battle with Hassan Haskins for the third and final running back slot on the Chargers' active roster. Los Angeles drafted Vidal in the sixth round in 2024, and he recorded 217 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 48 total touches as a rookie. The soon-to-be 24-year-old could get a second chance to make an impact with the team if a backfield injury leads to his activation from the practice squad, but he should remain off the radar of fantasy managers for the time being.
Aug 27, 2025 10:45 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers running backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris are locked in as the team's top two RBs entering the 2025 season, which means that Kimani Vidal will have to shine in other areas in order to win the No. 3 role. Vidal showed promise as a rookie in 2024, but he will need to continue to prove himself in order to earn a spot on the 53-man active roster, according to Chargers Wire's Spencer Schultz. Specifically, his role in the passing game could be what separates himself from the likes of Hassan Haskins, Jaret Patterson and Raheim Sanders. After being taken 181st overall in the sixth round last year out of Troy, Vidal had 43 carries for 155 yards (3.6 yards per tote) and no touchdowns in 10 regular-season games, adding five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. At best, Vidal will be a bench stash for depth in deep PPR formats.
Jul 13, 2025 11:31 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal could see his role increase in the Wild Card Round against the Houston Texans. With starting running back J.K. Dobbins (ankle) questionable to play and Gus Edwards (ankle) returning from a two-game absence, Vidal could be needed as the next guy up. He showed some positive signs in his rookie year, but struggled to see the field near the end of the season, appearing on 11% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 17 and on only one snap total in Week 18. Still, if Dobbins is unable to suit up, Vidal figures to have a role in the backfield, especially since the presumed starter Edwards is usually a non-factor in the passing game. Vidal would not be worth fantasy consideration if Dobbins plays, however.
Jan 9, 2025 9:28 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal could potentially take a starting role in a Week 18 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Much about the Bolts lineup depends on the results of Saturday's Bengals-Steelers game. If the Bengals win, the Chargers will likely play all of their starters as they could move up to the No. 5 seed in the playoffs with a win over the Raiders. If the Steelers win, however, Los Angeles would be locked into the No. 6 seed regardless of the results of their own game. Vidal is likely to start while J.K. Dobbins rests if the Steelers win, but Dobbins will almost certainly resume his (almost) every-down role if the Bolts are playing for a win. If Vidal starts, he could be a volume-based RB2 even though the Raiders defense has been solid against opposing running backs. Fantasy managers will need to keep an eye on Saturday's results before finalizing their lineups.
Jan 3, 2025 8:09 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal only ended up with five touches in a Week 17 blowout win over the New England Patriots. Vidal was thought to maybe have an increased role this week with J.K. Dobbins just returning from IR, but Dobbins resumed his every down role, leaving just five carries for 24 yards for Vidal. He was also targeted twice in the passing game but ended up unable to make any catches. He ultimately fell behind Hassan Haskins, who recorded eight carries and one catch.
Dec 28, 2024 6:20 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal could end up in the starting role in a Week 17 game against the New England Patriots. Starter J.K. Dobbins (knee) has missed four games and is listed as questionable for this matchup and fill-in starter Gus Edwards (ankle) has already been ruled out. There's a chance that Dobbins is able to return and if he does he'll likely lead the backfield, but if Dobbins is also ruled out or limited in the game, Vidal would rise to the top of the depth chart and share it with Hassan Haskins. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on pre-game warmup reports, if Dobbins can't suit up, Vidal could be a solid RB2 option with a rather high floor.
Dec 26, 2024 7:14 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal ran the ball five times in a Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos, gaining 24 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. Most of Vidal's yards in this game came on a big 19-yard run. He spent some time as the lead back while Gus Edwards was tended to on the sidelines due to an injury, but when Edwards was healthy he was the clear lead back for the Bolts. That will likely continue next week when the Chargers face the Patriots on Saturday in Week 17.
Dec 20, 2024 12:10 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal is far too risky to start in a key fantasy matchup like Week 16. The Chargers take on the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football, and the Broncos defense has been tough on opposing running backs all season long. Vidal has shown some flashes in his rookie campaign, but he's still behind Gus Edwards for touches and the Chargers offense has shown lately that they will quickly abandon the running game if it is not working. There's certainly some upside with Vidal, but his floor is very low which makes him far too volatile without the possible payoff for this week's lineups.
Dec 18, 2024 4:32 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal wasn't very involved in a Week 15 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs. Vidal ran the ball three times for nine total yards and was targeted three times in the passing game, making two catches for 13 yards. The Chargers only recorded 11 rushing attempts in the whole game as offensive coordinator Greg Roman seemingly gave up on anything but quarterback Justin Herbert's arm. Vidal should have better games coming up as long as Gus Edwards keeps running like he's in quicksand and J.K. Dobbins (knee) remains on IR.
Dec 15, 2024 9:35 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal has seen his role grow lately but heads into Week 15 with a tough matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Vidal played on 53% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 14, but that translated to just eight carries for 34 yards and no receptions. He seems to be slowly but surely taking over the backfield from an ineffective Gus Edwards while starter J.K. Dobbins (knee) remains out. Despite his growth into a larger role, Week 15 will have him face a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game since Week 9, making Vidal an RB4 with limited upside.
Dec 13, 2024 5:55 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal nearly split the backfield with starter Gus Edwards in a Week 14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Vidal ran the ball eight times, gaining 34 yards. He was targeted once in the passing game but did not make the catch. Vidal got two fewer carries compared to Edwards but was second on the team in carries and rushing yards and clearly working in a role that could continue to grow while J.K. Dobbins (knee) remains on IR.
Dec 9, 2024 1:42 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal could see his role grow in a Week 14 Sunday Night Football matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Vidal played behind Gus Edwards in Week 13 with J.K. Dobbins (knee) on IR, but Edwards has been ineffective all season while Vidal has shown some solid burst and strength. This could be the week that Vidal takes over as lead back, and that would clearly come with significant fantasy potential, but it's impossible to know for certain what the distribution of snaps and touches will be. Either way, it's a tough matchup as the Chiefs defense has been elite against opposing running backs. Vidal should be rostered in most formats by now, but another week on the bench is likely the safe option.
Dec 7, 2024 1:34 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal recorded four carries in a Week 13 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Active for the first time since Week 8, Vidal played alongside nominal starter Gus Edwards with J.K. Dobbins (knee) on IR. Vidal ended up gaining 20 yards with his four carries, most of it on a solid 16-yard run. He wasn't targeted in the passing game. His role could grow as the Chargers will need some different looks out of the backfield next week against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dec 1, 2024 5:52 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal should be back on the field in a Week 13 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Vidal has been inactive since Week 9, but with J.K. Dobbins (knee) heading to IR, Vidal should at least play a small role going forward. He has the talent to overtake the veterans currently ahead of him, Gus Edwards and Hassan Haskins. The Chargers will probably give the reins to Edwards this week, but Vidal is worth stashing for the fantasy playoffs.
Nov 30, 2024 5:50 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal is not an option in Week 10 fantasy lineups. Vidal has played a direct backup role to starter J.K. Dobbins this season, but Dobbins has been on the field for the vast majority of snaps and Vidal only gets a handful of touches per game, if that. With Gus Edwards (ankle) working his way back from IR, Vidal's small role could get even smaller soon. While Edwards isn't likely to play in Week 10, he could return the following week and push Vidal lower on the depth chart. Vidal should be rostered in deeper dynasty leagues, but can be left on most standard league's waiver wires at this point.
Nov 8, 2024 12:24 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal continued in his clear backup role in a 27-10 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 9. Vidal carried the ball five times, gaining just seven yards total while not seeing a target in the passing game. Starter J.K. Dobbins scored twice in this game and recorded 16 touches, with Vidal again sticking to an occasional change of pace and backup role. On his own, Vidal won't have any real fantasy value, but if Dobbins were to miss time, Vidal would step into his role and skyrocket into the RB2 ranks.
Nov 3, 2024 6:31 PM EST
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