Los Angeles Chargers Weigh Shifting to a Lead Running Back
On Nov. 6, 2026, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said the club is considering shifting its running back approach so one player receives the majority of carries as the team prepares for its Week 9 game. Harbaugh made the remarks Monday, and the report was published Nov. 6, 2026. He said the staff is evaluating the idea and may try it to help a back get into a consistent rhythm. The potential change reflects a desire to find more offensive continuity.
Omarion Hampton has carried the heaviest load through seven games, making six starts and leading the group with 89 carries for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Hampton also has logged the most snaps among the trio with 201, while Keaton Mitchell has 145 snaps and Kimani Vidal 134. In Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, Hampton ran nine times for 20 yards and Vidal had eight carries for 23 yards, and those two took the majority of carries in that outing. The distribution has fluctuated from game to game for the group.
Harbaugh emphasized the depth and versatility of the backfield, calling it a room of three very good, healthy backs and saying coaches may go with the hot hand while also valuing a player getting into rhythm. He noted that he has been in similar situations and that the approach has worked in the past. The coach framed the possible change as an active evaluation rather than a finalized decision. Any alteration would be based on who earns opportunities in practice and games.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel echoed Harbaugh and declined to detail a firm plan, saying the backs offer varied skill sets and that the staff has discussed adjusting the exact flow of carries. McDaniel said the team believes in its starting running back and praised the backs for their preparation. He added that players earn carries through practice and game performance and that the staff is looking for reasons to allocate touches. The coordinator emphasized that line play and coordination by blockers factor into the run-game plan.
The Chargers enter Week 9 ranked 18th in the NFL with 111.1 rushing yards per game and are averaging 4.01 yards per run play this season. According to Pro Football Focus, the club’s running backs have averaged just 2.9 yards per attempt since Week 5. Los Angeles managed 64 rushing yards on 25 attempts in its most recent game. Coaches have cited coordinated blocking from tight ends and tackles and said the backs have shown strong preparation in practice.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Chargers are weighing a shift toward a lead-back approach largely because Omarion Hampton has accrued the most carries, snaps and statistical production this season, making him a logical candidate for a larger share of touches. The decline in yards per attempt by the running backs since Week 5, as noted by Pro Football Focus, and the 64-yard rushing output in the most recent game help explain why coaches are exploring a change. Mike McDaniel’s focus on preparation and line play suggests the staff will seek sustainable improvements rather than a quick fix. Any move will depend on who earns opportunities in practice and matchups as the team pursues more consistent offensive rhythm.