The Los Angeles Chargers went out of their way to rebuild their offensive backfield ahead of the 2025 season, looking for a one-two punch in the vision of Jim Harbaugh.
The team got that by signing Najee Harris in free agency before using their first-round pick on North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton. The team seemed to gloss over much of the depth behind them, with Harris and Hampton carrying the load.
But the Chargers were reminded, before having even one training camp practice, of just how important depth in the NFL can be. Following a fireworks accident on July 4, Harris will begin training camp on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list.
The injury to his eye has been described as “superficial”, so it’s likely not going to cost Harris much time. But it still opens the door a bit more for two other running backs on the roster… Kimani Vidal and Raheim Sanders.
Vidal or Sanders will likely be the team’s No. 3 running back, but the loser of that battle will either be cut or looking at a spot on the practice squad. Both players are quite talented and deserve a long look this summer.
Kimani Vidal
Vidal was selected in the sixth round of last year’s draft out of Troy. Chargers fans wanted to see more of him during his rookie season, but Harbaugh opted to have Hassan Haskins play a more significant role, forcing Vidal to be a gameday inactive for much of the season.
Vidal flashed when he did get an opportunity, but rushed for just 155 yards during his rookie season. He caught five passes for 62 yards and in the first game that he was active, on the first time he touched the ball, he did this:
kimani vidal’s first nfl touch is a td
📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/D8GD2ZOroo
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 13, 2024
Some feel that Vidal is not a good fit for Greg Roman’s offense and that Sanders will prove to be more of what the team is looking for. But this kid has untapped potential that the team needs to think long and hard before moving on from.
Raheim Sanders
Any time a guy has the nickname of “Rocket”, you know he’s going to be exciting. In four college seasons between Arkansas and South Carolina, Sanders rushed for 3,111 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Though he went undrafted, Sanders has been seen as a huge steal for the Chargers and one who could not just push for a spot on the 53-man roster, but one who could be too tough to leave off the field for this team.
RAHEIM SANDERS WITH RESERVATIONS FOR SIX 🔥🔥
52-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO PUT SOUTH CAROLINA AHEAD 😤 pic.twitter.com/RGDdjPGngF
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 3, 2024
He is an explosive and powerful runner who can add value as a receiver out of the backfield. The Chargers are going to have a really hard time not keeping this guy on the 53-man roster and if they try to waive him to get him over to the practice squad, there is a real chance he will be claimed by another team.
This is why the Chargers can’t be fixated on Harris just because they gave him a hefty contract this offseason. Vidal and Sanders are more than capable options.
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