Vidal (neck) practice fully Thursday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official reports.
Meanwhile, Omarion Hampton (ankle) didn't practice Thursday and Hassan Haskins (concussion) was limited, so at this stage the composition of the Chargers' Week 18 backfield has yet to be determined. In the wake of his full practice, Vidal is on track to be available Sunday against the Broncos, but if the team elects to rest or limit key players apart from QB Justin Herbert (who will give way to Trey Lance this weekend) it's possible that Jaret Patterson and/or Amar Johnson could be elevated from the practice squad and see their share of touches alongside Vidal in Los Angeles' regular-season finale.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Returns to practice
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Vidal (neck) returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant.
Omarion Hampton (DNP - ankle) and Hassan Haskins (LP - head) are also on the injury report, after Vidal and Haskins missed Saturday's loss to Houston. Health won't be the only factor, as Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh already said QB Justin Herbert won't play this Sunday at Denver. Other starters may also be held out or pulled early.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Inactive Saturday
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Vidal (neck) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Texans, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.
Vidal was listed as a non-participant in practice both Tuesday and Wednesday before being estimated as limited on Thursday's report and questionable for Saturday's contest. With Vidal having been made inactive, added touches will be available for fellow RB Omarion Hampton, which boosts the 2025 first-rounder's Week 17 fantasy prospects, while Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson are available to mix in. Vidal's next chance to see game action will arrive in Week 18, when the Chargers travel to Denver for a game that may have major playoff seeding implications.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Questionable for Saturday
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Vidal (neck) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Texans after being listed as a limited participant on Thursday's practice estimate.
Vidal was deemed a non-participant both Tuesday and Wednesday, with the running back's estimated limited listing Thursday offering hope that he may be available this weekend. Look for added context regarding Vidal's Week 17 status to arrive late Friday or early Saturday, but if he's made inactive for the Chargers' 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff, added touches would be available for fellow RB Omarion Hampton, with Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson on hand in reserve.
Vidal (neck) didn't practice Wednesday.
Vidal also logged a DNP on Tuesday, so what the running back is able to do Thursday -- if anything -- will be pivotal in terms of his chances of playing Saturday against the Texans. If Vidal is unavailable this weekend, Omarion Hampton would figure to be busy against Houston, with fellow RBs Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson in reserve.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Sits out practice
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Vidal (neck) was a non-participant in Tuesday's practice.
Vidal was forced out late in this past Sunday's 34-17 win over the Cowboys due to a neck strain and is being viewed as day-to-day ahead of the Chargers' Week 17 game Saturday versus the Texans. He'll need to upgrade to at least limited participation in practices Wednesday and Thursday to have a shot at playing this weekend.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Day-to-day with neck strain
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Vidal has been diagnosed with a neck strain and is considered day-to-day, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Vidal was forced from Sunday's 34-17 win over the Cowboys in the fourth quarter after he rushed five times for 11 yards on 21 offensive snaps. If Vidal is unable to play next Saturday against the Texans, Omarion Hampton would likely see a larger share of the backfield work, with Hassan Haskins spelling Hampton as the Chargers' RB2.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Held in check Sunday
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Vidal rushed 12 times for 33 yards and brought in his only target for 15 yards in the Chargers' 16-13 win over the Chiefs on Sunday.
Vidal logged three fewer rush attempts than backfield mate Omarion Hampton and was a lot less efficient, averaging 2.8 yards per carry to his teammate's 4.1. Vidal did at least extend his streak of consecutive games with double-digit carries to three contests, and he figures to continue enjoying a relatively robust complementary role in a Week 16 road matchup against the Cowboys next Sunday afternoon.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Split workload in win
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Vidal carried the ball 14 times for 44 yards in the Chargers' 22-19 overtime win over the Eagles on Monday. He also caught one of his three targets for 60 yards.
It's worth noting Vidal got the start in the primetime game, but the distribution of touches ended up being split right down the middle, as the returning Omarion Hampton (ankle) also recorded 15 touches in the the contest. Vidal's fantasy day was salvaged by a simple checkdown in the first half, which the rookie exploded for 60 yards to set up a touchdown on the team's opening drive, but he otherwise was kept in check on the ground. It won't get much easier Week 15 against a Kansas City team that will be playing for its playoff lives.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: RBs to Sit
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Omarion Hampton (ankle) appears on the verge of returning in Week 14 against the Eagles after being out for the past seven games, and we're probably looking at a timeshare for the Chargers, with Vidal likely in a secondary role. Even if Vidal remains the leader of this tandem for now -- he's played at least 52 percent of the snaps in every game that Hampton was out -- this isn't an ideal situation for him. Justin Herbert (hand) will either be limited or out after having surgery Monday, and the offensive line for the Chargers remains a mess. Additionally, Vidal has mostly been good in games where the Chargers have won by double digits, and the Eagles are favored in this matchup in Los Angeles. Vidal should be considered a low-end No. 2 running back if Hampton remains out, and he's a flex at best if Hampton returns.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Career-best outing in win
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Vidal tallied 25 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-14 win over the Raiders. He also caught his lone target for 11 yards.
Vidal exploded for a 59-yard scamper to kick off the scoring in the second half, by far the longest run of his young career, and that resulted in the go-ahead touchdown in a game the Raiders rarely threatened. Nominal starter Omarion Hampton (ankle) looks like he is close to making his return after a seven-game absence, which would in essence end Vidal's opportunity as the team's lead back. If this was the final hurrah, the second-year back was truly marvelous, compiling 24-plus touches for the third time in five weeks. Vidal at minimum will likely still spell Hampton, although neither back should be expected to have a big Week 14 game against a Philadelphia defense that has stifled most opponents on the ground this year.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Stymied in lopsided loss
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Vidal rushed five times for 13 yards and brought in both targets for minus-1 yard in the Chargers' 35-6 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday.
Vidal was stonewalled on his few opportunities, and a game script that saw the Jaguars eventually pull away from the Chargers essentially put a quick end to any fantasy hopes the running back and his fantasy managers had. Vidal also battled through a thigh injury that led to a brief exit from the game, and he ultimately finished with his lowest rushing yardage total in any game during which he's logged any carries this season. Sunday may have been Vidal's final game in the lead-back role as well, as Omarion Hampton (IR, ankle) may be ready to return for a Week 13 home matchup against the Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 30 following the Week 12 bye.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Back in Sunday's contest
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Vidal (thigh) returned to Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Vidal had exited the contest due to a thigh issue, but he was able to return to the Chargers' Week 11 backfield, which also includes Amar Johnson and Trayveon Williams.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Can't get going against Titans
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Vidal logged 12 rushes for 30 yards in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Titans. He did not catch his lone target.
Vidal's managers had high expectations entering this favorable matchup, but he instead might have ceded clear lead-back duties while Omarion Hampton (ankle) remains sidelined. Vidal led the Chargers backfield in carries 8-2 at halftime, but he was out-carried by Jarrett Patterson 7-4 over the final two quarters. While it's possible that had to do with game script, the Chargers only briefly held a two-score lead and Patterson was also more effective with his work. Vidal should remain in fantasy consideration so long as Hampton is out, but his role is a bit murkier moving forward.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Start of the Week
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We don't know how much longer Omarion Hampton (ankle) is going to be out, but Vidal has been great in his place. In two of three games without Hampton, Vidal has scored at least 19.7 PPR points, including two outings with at least 117 rushing yards. I didn't expect him to perform as well as he did in Week 8 against Minnesota, but he dominated with 23 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown and one catch for 10 yards on two targets. And he should do well in Week 9 against the Titans, who will be without Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) again. Six running backs in a row have scored at least 16.6 PPR points against Tennessee, and Vidal should follow suit. I like him as a No. 1 Fantasy running back in all leagues.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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Vidal was awesome in Week 6 at Miami with 22.8 PPR points, and he struggled against Indianapolis in Week 7 with 7.5 PPR points. Which version of Vidal will show up in Week 8 against Minnesota? I'm concerned we might have been fooled by Vidal because of his big game against the Dolphins, who have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. The Colts are one of the best, and Vikings are almost right in the middle. Given that six teams are on a bye, Vidal will be at least a flex option in the majority of leagues, but he could struggle if he fails to score. And Minnesota has only allowed three touchdowns to running backs all season. I'm expecting Justin Herbert to be throwing a lot in this game, and Vidal's production could once again be minimal.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Stifled by Indy
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Vidal carried the ball nine times for 20 yards and caught four of five targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 38-24 loss to the Colts.
After a huge Week 6 performance against the Dolphins as the Chargers' lead back, Vidal had much less success in Week 7. While he still led Los Angeles in carries, Justin Herbert actually led the team in rushing yards with a meager 31. With Omarion Hampton (IR, ankle) likely still more than a month away from his return, Vidal will maintain his spot at the top of the depth chart heading into a Week 8 clash with a Vikings defense that just held Saquon Barkley to 44 rushing yards and 2.4 yards per carry.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Sleeper RBs
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We found out in Week 6 at Miami that Vidal will be the replacement for Omarion Hampton (ankle), and Vidal is worth using as a No. 2 running back or flex in all leagues in Week 7 against the Colts. Against Miami, Vidal had 18 carries for 124 yards and three catches for 14 yards and a touchdown on four targets. By comparison, Hassan Haskins was held to six carries for 14 yards and one catch for 9 yards on one target. Vidal should continue in the lead role, and Indianapolis has allowed a running back to score at least 12.4 PPR points in every game this season. He probably won't perform as well as he did against the Dolphins since Miami's defense is abysmal, but this matchup against the Colts is still favorable enough to trust Vidal in all leagues.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Week 7 Adds (RB Preview)
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What a strange week last week was. Vidal was the top guy in this spot last week, but by the time we got to Sunday, people were dropping him for Hassan Haskins and Zonovan Knight. Now he is 61% rostered and the clear top add at the position after producing 138 yards and a touchdown on 21 touches against the Dolphins. Don't expect him to be that efficient against the Colts, but do expect him to be the clear top back. Teams that are under .500 and weak at running back should be very aggressive with their FAB. Vidal could be a must-start running back for the next month or more.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Emerges as lead back in win
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Vidal carried the ball 18 times for 124 yards and also caught three of his four targets for 14 yards and a touchdown in the 29-27 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
Despite reports earlier this week Vidal and Hassan Haskins would be a part of a committee, the second-year back proved definitively he was the more explosive player by tallying 138 total yards on 21 touches to Haskins' 23 yards on seven opportunities. Omarion Hampton (ankle) is expected to be out at least a month, and while the Chargers have reportedly been sniffing around available options according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Vidal's massive outing might quiet the trade calls for another week. It's worth noting Miami's run defense is one of the worst in the league, and it should be tougher sledding at home against the Colts next week.
