Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman hasn’t suited up for the Chargers since 2010, but that isn’t stopping him from trying to help the team. Following injuries to running backs Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton, Merriman opened up Twitter on Tuesday, hoping to fill a roster need. The recipient of his Twitter mention? Saints running back Alvin Kamara.
Kamara has been the subject of trade rumors for weeks, given the Saints‘ 1-5 record. However, the five-time Pro Bowler recently voiced his desire to finish his career in New Orleans. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Saints “aren’t expected” to trade Kamara, despite interest from numerous teams (and the wishes of Kendre Miller fantasy owners).
Merriman is a few days behind on the Kamara newsâthe running back has also yet to respond to Merriman’s tweetâbut this social media pitch reflects the ongoing chatter around the Chargers‘ running back room.
Do the Chargers Actually Need Another Running Back?
There was immediate concern when Hampton went to the IR after injuring his ankle in Week 5 against the Commanders. Veteran running back Najee Harris had already been lost for the season with a torn Achilles, and the remaining running backs on the roster, Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins, had lackluster stats, albeit in limited sample sizes.
Naturally, fans sought a Hampton replacement, especially considering the Chargers have high hopes this season. Acquiring another running back would, ideally, bolster the offense during the four to six weeks Hampton misses; then the two could work in a committee through the rest of the regular season and into the playoffs.
However, the Chargers may not be in such dire need after watching their Week 6 win over the Dolphins. Vidal, a second-year player out of Troy, rushed for 124 yards on 18 carries, to go along with three catches for 14 yards and a touchdown. While Haskins provided little, rushing for 14 yards on eight carries, it was an efficient, productive, and promising performance for Vidal. The former sixth-round pick figures to be the bellcow back in Week 7 against the Colts.
What remains to be seen is whether Vidal’s success was due to the Dolphins‘ league-worst run defense, allowing 168.5 rushing yards per game, or a trend that can continue. The Colts, 11th-best against the rush, are a tougher matchup and a better litmus test for the Chargers’ running back situation.
Possible Trade Candidates
Despite the Week 6 rushing success, the Chargers may still trade for a running back before the Nov. 4th deadline. Vidal and Haskins might falter. Hampton’s injury could last longer than anticipated or affect him even after he’s activated from the IR. Since it looks like Kamara is staying in New Orleans, here are a few other potential trade candidates:
- Breece Hall: The 24-year-old is in the final year of his rookie deal for an 0-6 Jets team. He previously voiced a desire to stay in New York, but on Tuesday, he posted a cryptic Instagram picture with the caption “#Free20.”
- Tony Pollard: The 1-5 Titans aren’t going anywhere this season. They may look to recoup draft capital for the 28-year-old running back while ceding carries to the younger Tyjae Spears, fresh off the IR.
- Jerome Ford: Ford isn’t a needle mover like Hall or Kamara, but he averaged 5.4 yards per carry last season in a moribund Browns offense. He’s also on a one-year deal and could be the low-cost rental Los Angeles is looking for to steady the ship until Hampton returns.
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