Los Angeles Chargers Place Omarion Hampton on Injured Reserve, Elevate kimani Vidal
The Los Angeles Chargers announced today they have placed running back Omarion Hampton on Reserve/Injured. To fill the roster spot, the team has signed running back Kimani Vidal to the active roster from the practice squad. Additionally, the Chargers have signed running back Nyheim Hines to the practice squad.
Vidal, a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft (181st overall), appeared in 10 games for the Chargers during his rookie season. He participated in 12 career games, recording a one-yard reception, 18 rushing yards on four carries (4.5 avg.), and a 25-yard kickoff return. Vidal notably scored a 38-yard receiving touchdown on his first NFL touch, becoming the 11th player in franchise history to achieve this feat. He concluded his rookie campaign with 155 rushing yards on 43 attempts (3.6 avg.) and five receptions for 62 yards (12.4 avg.) plus the touchdown.
During his collegiate career at Troy (2020-23),Vidal played in 48 games and finished as the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards (4,010),rushing attempts (781),and 200-yard rushing games (five). He tied for the most 100-yard rushing performances (14) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (33). The 2023 Sun Belt offensive Player of the Year and third-team All-American also added 92 receptions for 700 yards (7.6 avg.) and a touchdown. Vidal is the great-nephew of Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron.
Hines, a former fourth-round pick by Indianapolis in the 2018 NFL Draft (104th overall), was with the Chargers during training camp. He has appeared in 81 regular-season games with 17 starts,totaling 1,202 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 306 carries (3.9 avg.). He has also contributed 240 receptions for 1,778 yards (7.4 avg.) and eight receiving touchdowns. As a returner,Hines has 89 punt returns for 1,015 yards (11.4 avg.) and two touchdowns, along with 32 kickoff returns for 817 yards (25.5 avg.) and two scores. He is a two-time AFC Special Teams player of the Week.
At North Carolina State (2015-17), Hines played in 38 games, rushing for 1,399 yards and 13 touchdowns on 258 attempts (5.4 avg.).He added 89 receptions for 933 yards (10.5 avg.) and a touchdown. Hines was a first-team All-ACC selection and sun Bowl MVP in 2017, totaling 1,112 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 197 attempts (5.6 avg.) with 26 receptions for 152 yards (5.8 avg.). He also competed in track and field for the Wolfpack, earning All-America honors in the 4×100-meter relay in 2016.
