The Los Angeles Chargers made two huge running back acquisitions in the 2025 NFL Offseason, but both players are currently on the injured reserve.
Najee Harris signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Bolts to help share the backfield load with first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Omarion Hampton.
Harris tore his Achilles tendon during Week 3, which will force him to miss the rest of the season. Hampton was placed on IR in early October and has a couple more weeks before he is eligible to return, barring any setbacks in his healing process.
The Bolts currently have running back Kimani Vidal on the 53-man roster, a second-year player they drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Vidal led the team in rushing in two of the last three games, rushing for 100 yards in Week 6 and Week 8.
While Vidal is holding up well, Los Angeles needs a clear, consistent answer for their running back woes, as the sixth-rounder only rushed for 20 yards in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Trading For Running Back
GettyCarolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle.
Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton combined for 375 rushing yards before they both suffered their injuries. The Bolts are a passing-oriented offense this season, with quarterback Justin Herbert leading the league in passing yards, which may explain why the running back committee hasn’t been a significant threat to opposing defenses this season.
Christopher Kline of FanSided believes that if the Chargers trade for Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle, can help the team get to the Super Bowl.
“The Los Angeles Chargers built their offense around the run last season. Justin Herbert has spent a lot more time chucking it in 2025, which is generally a positive development, but Los Angeles still needs to maintain balance. You know that is how Jim Harbaugh prefers it,” Kline wrote.
“An injury to rookie Omarion Hampton has opened the door for a short-term investment at running back. Rico Dowdle is a free agent at season’s end, but he’s enjoying a dominant stretch with Carolina in lieu of an injured Chubba Hubbard, with 368 yards over his last three starts. Dowdle’s 5.6 yards per carry currently leads the NFL. He’s the workhorse running back who could take the Chargers offense to another level.”
Dowdle has 551 yards and two rushing touchdowns through seven games, with both numbers on track to be his career best if he continues to perform well.
He is currently averaging 5.6 rushing yards per carry this season, the most out of any Panthers RB and would be the most out of any running back option on the Bolts.
Rico Dowdle’s Place In The Backfield
GettyLos Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton
As mentioned, Rico Dowdle will only be a temporary option until Omarion Hampton returns from IR.
Once the rookie gets back to the field, it places Dowdle in an interesting situation. Kimani Vidal is looking like a serious option to be the team’s second option at running back with Najee Harris out for the season.
When Hampton returns and if Vidal can continue to roll the ball out of the backfield, it could phase out Dowdle in Los Angeles. Vidal hasn’t been consistent in his second season with the Chargers, which he will need if he wants to continue to have a prominent role.
While it can be a long shot, Dowdle can be the team’s first option if Hampton does not improve his performance from earlier in the season.
The Los Angeles Chargers have until November 4th to make any trade acquisitions before the trade deadline passes.
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