The Los Angeles Chargers are back under the primetime lights on Monday night, and they’re eyeing something they haven’t had in a while - momentum. After snapping a skid last week, they’ll look to stack wins when the Philadelphia Eagles come to town. But as kickoff approaches, all eyes are on the hand - specifically, the fractured left hand of quarterback Justin Herbert.
Herbert’s injury, suffered last week against the Raiders, required surgery. He’s officially listed as questionable, but the expectation is that he’ll suit up. If he does, it’ll be a gutsy turnaround, and the Chargers will need every ounce of his arm talent - and toughness - against a Philly team that, while banged up, still knows how to bring pressure.
But Herbert’s not the only headline in L.A. this week.
Rookie running back Omarion Hampton is set to return after missing seven games with a fractured ankle. It’s been a long road back since Week 5, but Hampton is expected to be active and ready to contribute. Before the injury, he was showing flashes - 314 rushing yards and two touchdowns - and now he rejoins an offense that’s quietly found a rhythm on the ground.
That’s thanks in large part to Kimani Vidal. The second-year back has stepped up in Hampton’s absence and done more than just hold the fort - he’s taken over the backfield.
With 543 rushing yards and three scores, Vidal has proven he can be a reliable, every-down option. Now, with Hampton back in the mix, the Chargers have the makings of a true one-two punch - speed, power, and fresh legs heading into the final stretch of the season.
And that could be a problem for Philadelphia.
The Eagles’ defensive front, normally a strength, will be missing a key piece. Star defensive tackle Jalen Carter is out after undergoing shoulder procedures, a significant loss for a unit that thrives on disruption up the middle. Without Carter, the Eagles are vulnerable in the trenches - and that’s where the Chargers can take control of this game.
It’s not just the defensive line that’s hurting for Philly. On the offensive side, right tackle Lane Johnson has also been ruled out. That’s a major blow to the Eagles’ protection scheme, especially against a Chargers pass rush that can get after the quarterback when given the chance.
This will be the first time these two teams have met since November 2021, when the Chargers edged out a 27-24 win in a tightly contested game. A lot has changed since then - new faces, new schemes, new stakes - but Monday night brings another opportunity to see how these teams stack up when the lights are brightest.
For the Chargers, it’s about more than just getting back to .500. It’s about proving they can win tough games in December, even with their franchise quarterback playing through pain. And with a bolstered backfield and a weakened Eagles front, the opportunity is there.
Now it’s just a matter of execution.