Much like rest of the roster, the LA Chargers are currently trotting out running backs who never would have seen the light of day if the team stayed healthy. Unlike a battered offensive line, though, there are fantasy football implications with a depleted running back depth chart.
Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris' injuries may have derailed some fantasy football seasons. But for others, the Chargers' injuries at running back created an opportunity; an opportunity to pick up a high-volume back that otherwise would be an unknown to casual NFL fans.
That is what happened with second-year running back Kimani Vidal, who delivered an impressive 22.8-point PPR performance in the Chargers' first game without Hampton in Week 6. In Week 7, though, Vidal's production dipped as the Chargers played from behind and were forced to throw the football. This may have caused some fantasy players to grow timid.
To those fantasy football players: don't be timid, even on a short week for the Chargers. The stars are aligned for Vidal to have yet another impressive fantasy football performance against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football.
Chargers' Kimani Vidal is a must-start in fantasy football in Week 8
First, the injuries. The Chargers dropped their final injury report of the week on Wednesday and there is only one player who has been ruled out: running back Hassan Haskins.
Vidal was already getting more of the opportunties with Haskins in the fold. With Haskins out, that split is going to veer more heavily in Vidal's favor. The next man up for the Chargers in Nyheim Miller-Hines, who will get some touches against the Vikings, but shouldn't come close to matching Vidal's looks.
There are also positive injury updates around Vidal as well. It appears that both Joe Alt and Trey Pipkins will start for the Chargers in this game. If so, the Chargers will have their starting line (minus Rashawn Slater) for the first time in over a month. That creates a much easier ecosystem to run the football.
Minnesota is right around the league average in rushing yards allowed per game, ranking 18th in total yardage allowed. The Vikings have allowed the 12th fewest average fantasy points per game to running backs this season, but that number is not sustainable. Out of pure happenstance, the Vikings have only allowed three total touchdowns to running backs. There will be a regression to the mean, and it may start in Week 8.
It's also important to keep in mind that Justin Herbert just took an absolute beating four days ago against the Colts. Herbert dropped back 61 times on Sunday and was pressured a season-high 27 times. Vidal, meanwhile, is fresh, having only carried the ball nine times against the Colts.
This kind of offensive split is not sustainable, especially coming off short rest. Expect the Chargers to make it a priority to establish the run, giving Vidal plenty of chances against a defense that is going to pin its ears back and blitz Herbert.
Starting a practice squad running back on Thursday is risky business. But in this case, the risk will be worth the reward.