SAN DIEGO — Running back Melvin Gordon rushed for 1,105 yards during the 2017 season, the Chargers’ first after leaving San Diego for Los Angeles. They haven’t had another 1,000-yard rusher since then, although Austin Ekeker came closer than anyone else with a lightning bolt on his helmet with 915 yards in 2022.
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The Chargers’ search for an impactful ground game has been futile since Gordon ran for the last of his career high in yards. Ekeler proved to be as productive as any back in the NFL during a two-season stretch in which he scored 20 touchdowns, including 12 rushing, in 2021 and had 18 TDs, including 13 on the ground, in 2022.
But no one has been closer to Gordon, and it’s not as if the Chargers haven’t tried. Coach Jim Harbaugh was known to be a big fan of a strong run game when he was hired in January 2024. The Chargers then selected running back Omarion Hampton with their first-round pick in 2025. They also hired Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator in January.
So, it’s not as if the franchise was content to allow quarterback Justin Herbert to shoulder the offensive burden all by himself. Now, the question is whether Hampton, with an assist from a revamped interior offensive line, can give Herbert some relief and take the Chargers’ run game to a place it hasn’t been in nearly a decade.
Some, but certainly not all, of the expectations fall to Hampton.
He gained 545 yards in nine games in an injury-plagued rookie season, showing glimpses of the reliable and productive running back he might one day become. To hear McDaniel tell it Wednesday on the second day of the Chargers’ two-day stay at the University of San Diego, that day might be sooner than expected.
“He has, from the first day that we’ve been on the field to (Tuesday), you could argue that he’s had the most growth of any player,” McDaniel said of Hampton. “This guy is completely obsessed and focused. His tracks and the urgency with which we’re trying to get him to start the play, it has been phenomenal.
“He came back from the spring to training camp, the five weeks that he had off, you could tell he was really, really focused on that. And then in and around contact, some of the things we’ve been working with ballcarriers is how they approach tacklers. And for him, his skill set, nobody wants to tackle that guy.
“That is a massive human moving very fast.”
For the record, Hampton, 23, is listed at 6 feet, 220 pounds.
EXTENDED STAY?
The Chargers have traveled to San Diego for two days of training camp in consecutive summers. But, given Harbaugh’s love for the city and the warm embrace of some faithful fans, would it be too much for the Chargers to extend their stay in the future to a week or more to open camp?
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After all, Harbaugh played his last NFL games with the Chargers and got his head coaching start at USD.
“Sounds good, good thought,” Harbaugh said. “It could be, I guess. We’d got to get back to the Bolt (the Chargers’ practice facility in El Segundo). We’ve got a preseason game coming up (Aug. 13 against the Texans in Houston). USD will be starting their football and soccer seasons soon.
“Just tremendous gratitude for them being so excited to have us and willing to have us, preparing the facility and the field and, you know, letting us be a guest. Much gratitude for that. Just maybe not overstay our welcome, you know? Let’s be grateful for the time we have here.”
So, definitely? Maybe?
EXTRA POINTS
Left tackle Rashawn Slater returned to the practice field for what amounted to an extended walk-through after missing part of Tuesday’s first practice in pads because of what’s believed to be a minor ailment. He was scheduled to speak to reporters but did not. …
Outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu joined his teammates for 11-on-11 drills for the first time since the start of training camp July 29. He had participated only in individual drills in the opening days of camp while awaiting a contract extension. The Chargers haven’t commented publicly. …
The Chargers announced they would induct former kicker John Carney and ex-wide receiver Anthony Miller into their Hall of Fame during a halftime ceremony during their game Nov. 8 against the Texans at SoFi Stadium. Carney played 11 seasons with the Chargers; Miller played six. …
Outside linebacker Khalil Mack, linebacker Denzel Perryman and tight end David Njoku were given the day off from practice, a chance for the veterans to rest and recover from the Chargers’ first day in pads. They are expected to be back on the field Thursday in El Segundo.
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