Charger Report

After scary Najee Harris injury Chargers' rookie Omarion Hampton scores first NFL TD vs. Broncos

Los Angeles Chargers' rookie running back Omarion Hampton scored his first NFL TD to give his team an early lead over the Denver Broncos
Richie Whitt|
Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) catches a pass during warm ups before the game against the Raiders in Week 2.
Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) catches a pass during warm ups before the game against the Raiders in Week 2. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles Chargers

It's a bittersweet first half for the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday afternoon.

Good news: Rookie first-round draft pick Omarion Hampton scored his the first touchdown of his NFL career to give the Bolts an early 10-0 lead over the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium.

MORE: Chargers RB Najee Harris carted off after suffering injury vs. Broncos

Bad news: It came just mintues after Hampton's running back partner - veteran Najee Harris - suffered what appeared to be a serious Achilles injury in the second quarter.

On a pass play that wound up as completion from Justin Herbert to Quentin Johnston, Harris pushed off his left foot to take a play-fake but then fell awkwardly to the ground in the backfield. He was helped to the sideline, and then took a cart to the Chargers' dressing room. Replays appeared to show that familar Achilles' "snap" in the back of his leg.

If it is indeed a season-ending Achilles injury for Harris, it will mean a huge worklaod increase for Hampton and likely some roster moves for Jim Harbaugh's team. The Chargers signed Harris in free agency to be the No. 1 back while Hampton developed as a rookie.

MORE: Chargers OL collapses early vs. Broncos, Trey Pipkins and Mekhi Becton injured

Seven plays after Harris' injury on the same drive, Hampton took a hand-off from Herbert and scooted through the right side of the line untouched for a 3-yard touchdown and a 10-0 Chargers' lead. Last week Hampton was stopped by the Las Vegas Raiders on three consecutive carries inside the 10-yard line.

With Harris likely out, the rookie is now unequivocally the Chargers' short-yardage and goal-line weapon.

Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) runs against the Chiefs in Brazil.
Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) runs against the Chiefs in Brazil. | Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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