Who Should I Start? Omarion Hampton or Kaleb Johnson

Wednesday, January 7, 3:24 PM

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. The Chargers held Hampton out of the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, but at the time, it was believed that the Bolts were just giving the 22-year-old rookie some rest before the start of the playoffs. A DNP in the first practice of the week as the Chargers prepare to face the New England Patriots on Wild-Card weekend, though, suggests that Hampton could have suffered a setback to his ankle that landed him on Injured Reserve earlier in the year. Hampton made the start in the Week 17 loss to the Houston Texans and scored a touchdown for the second straight week, but he averaged only 2.1 yards per carry on 14 rushing attempts. His status for Sunday against the Pats is firmly up in the air. If Hampton is ruled out, Kimani Vidal would most likely lead L.A.'s backfield.

Friday, December 19, 11:21 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson continues to be one of the most disappointing rookies from the 2025 draft class. The 22-year-old Iowa product played a marginal role once again last week, amassing two carries for four rushing yards on a 3% snap share in the Steelers' win over the Dolphins on Monday Night Football. In total this year, he has 28 carries, 69 rushing yards, one catch, and nine receiving yards. He hasn't earned more than six touches in a single game, and he has played more than 12% of the offensive snaps in just two contests. It's not like Johnson has been relegated to special teams, either. He has just 11 special teams snaps this year and hasn't handled a single kick or punt return since a Week 2 blunder in the end zone that directly resulted in an opponent touchdown. Johnson and his fantasy managers are certainly ready to close the book on the 2025 season and turn the page to next year. With Kenneth Gainwell set to hit free agency in March, Johnson could have a chance to carve out a fantasy-relevant role behind Jaylen Warren in 2026.