The NFL trade deadline is a week from Tuesday. Per several reports (Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport, Dianna Russini, and Josina Anderson to name a few), the Chargers have been in the running back market over the last month. Meanwhile, Kimani Vidal has had two 100+ yard games in the absence of first-round pick Omarion Hampton.
Hampton is technically eligible to come off of IR next week as Week 9 will count as his fourth game missed. However, Mike Garafolo previously reported that the UNC product could have an absence longer than the required four games.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh backed Kimani Vidal in a significant way on Tuesday.
So it begs the question-how safe is a) Vidal's role and b) Vidal's roster spot as the Chargers approach the trade deadline. While the Chargers potentially remain in the market for a running back, HC Jim Harbaugh had high praise for the second-year back. Asked about the rookie breakouts specifically, the Chargers head coach still managed to bring up Vidal:
"Kimani Vidal, playing like a number one running back," Harbaugh started. "Not just on our team, but in the NFL. He's been playing like a number one running back in the entire league."
Vidal was fifth amongst all running backs in yards last week with 117. It was his second 100 yard performance of the season. That feat had not been achieved since J.K. Dobbins' performances in Weeks 1 and 2 last season with the Chargers.
Harbaugh was ultimately mum on when Hampton will return. He said that the rookie running back “looks like he’s getting better every day,” but added that he’d “rather not speculate” when asked if Hampton could return in Week 10.
The Chargers could very well still trade for a running back. But it's clear that Vidal's breakout has shifted their leverage in trade talks positively with the team not needing an *immediate* RB1 contributor post-Hampton injury.