Hampton lost a yard on his only carry in the 16-3 wild-card loss Sunday to the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie was active for the postseason contest despite failing to practice both Wednesday and Thursday due to an ankle injury, but the Chargers opted not to give Hampton any work as Kimani Vidal took all 11 of the team's other RB carries. It was a rollercoaster of a season for the 2025 first-round pick, as Hampton was thrust immediately into prominence Week 1 due to Najee Harris' eye injury and capped off a solid first month with an explosive 165 total yards on 17 touches Week 4 against the Giants. That game ended up being Hampton's only contest over 100 total yards the rest of the season, however, as the 22-year-old missed seven weeks due to a fractured ankle and returned to an offensive line completely in tatters by Week 14. The Chargers are certainly invested enough in Hampton to make him a sought-after fantasy asset in 2026, but the team will need to make a concerted effort to rebuild an offensive line that was decimated by injuries by the end of the season. Hampton is expected to have at least one complementary piece alongside him come next year, whether it be exclusive rights free agent Vidal, a cheaper veteran comparable to the aforementioned Harris or a combination of both.

Hampton (ankle) is listed as active for Sunday's night's playoff opener against the Patriots, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

After being listed as a non-participant both Wednesday and Thursday, Hampton -- who was sidelined in Week 18 -- was able to return to a limited practice Friday while sporting a brace on his right ankle, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com. Though officially listed as questionable on Los Angles' final injury report, the running back subsequently noted that he planned to play Sunday. With the 2025 first-rounder's active status versus the Patriots now confirmed, Rhim previously indicated that the Chargers are expected to split their backfield workload between Hampton and Kimani Vidal, with Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson available in reserve.

When asked about his chances of playing in Sunday night's postseason opener against the Patriots, Hampton (ankle) -- who is officially listed as questionable for the contest -- replied, "That's the plan," Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

After logging 'DNPs' both Wednesday and Thursday, Hampton was able to work in a limited fashion Friday while sporting a brace on his right ankle, per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com. While the running back's assessment of his potential availability this weekend is encouraging, his status will still need to be verified ahead of the Chargers' 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If Hampton ends up limited Sunday or even sidelined, added opportunities would be available for fellow RBs Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson.

Hampton (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's wild-card game at New England.

EDGE Analysis

After not practicing Wednesday or Thursday, Hampton got back on the field Friday, per Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site, and the rookie first-round pick eventually went down as a limited participant, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Hampton thus has a chance to play for the first time since Week 17 due to an ankle injury, but his status won't be known until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson would be the RBs to benefit this weekend if Hampton is inhibited or sidelined.

Hampton (ankle) was present for Friday's practice, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, Hampton -- who was listed as a 'DNP' Wednesday and Thursday -- sported a brace on his right ankle during warmups Friday. Still, the running back's attendance for the session is a step in the right direction for him ahead of Sunday night's playoff opener against the Patriots. The Chargers' upcoming injury report will reveal Hampton's official game status, in any case.

Hampton (ankle) was listed as a non-participant in practice Thursday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Smith, offensive coordinator Greg Roman previously noted that Hampton would be "involved some" in Thursday's session, but that didn't equate to the running back -- who also didn't practice Wednesday -- being deemed an official participant. Hampton now has one more opportunity to log practice reps before the Chargers assign injury designations in advance of Sunday night's playoff opener against the Patriots. If he ends up limited or out this weekend, added backfield opportunities would be available for Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said that Hampton (ankle) will be "involved some" in practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Chargers' upcoming injury report will reveal the official participation level of Hampton, who didn't practice Wednesday. As for the running back's status for Sunday's playoff opener against the Patriots, Roman noted, "We're going to wait and see on that. He's working through his process with the medical group. He's engaged. He's ready mentally with the game plan."

Hampton (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This would seem to suggest that Hampton's ankle injury is a real concern, which wasn't clear last week when his absence coincided with the Chargers resting some healthy starters in a loss to Denver. Hampton handled 22 touches in a Week 17 loss to Houston, but he hasn't practiced since, leaving the Chargers with Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson in the backfield as they kick off the week of practice ahead of Sunday's game at New England.

Hampton (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

Meanwhile, fellow RBs Kimani Vidal (neck) and Hassan Haskins (concussion) are both listed as questionable for Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, which presumably means that Jaret Patterson and/or Amar Johnson will be elevated from the Chargers' practice squad ahead of Week 18 action. Hampton's next chance to see game action thus is slated to arrive in the team's playoff opener during the wild-card round.

Hampton (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hampton also logged a 'DNP' on Wednesday, and considering that the Chargers are planning to rest QB Justin Herbert (hand) in Week 18, it's possible that they'll err on the side of caution with Hampton, with the team's looming playoff run in mind. In any case, Friday's final injury report will reveal whether Hampton has a chance to be in uniform Sunday against the Broncos or instead will have to wait until wild-card weekend to see his next game action.