Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Hardly utilized in rookie campaign
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Vidal finished his rookie campaign with 43 carries for 155 yards and an additional five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown across 10 games.
The 2024 sixth-round pick was considered a possible deep sleeper entering the year given the uncertain availability of oft-injured backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, but the imported Ravens duo were relatively healthy throughout the year, relegating Vidal to a healthy inactive at portions of the season. Even when the rookie had opportunities to flourish due to various injuries to the aforementioned duo, Vidal only saw six or more carries twice throughout the season and played just over 21 offensive snaps twice throughout the entire campaign. The Chargers clearly prioritize multiple rotational backs and depth given the offensive emphasis of the position, but it's unclear if Vidal will be a part of the team's larger goals despite Dobbins entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and Edwards due a $3 million bonus entering his age-30 season.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Healthy inactive Saturday
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Vidal is inactive for Saturday's wild-card matchup against the Texans.
With J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards both healthy for the postseason contest, Vidal will revert back to his status as a healthy inactive like he did Weeks 10-12. Hassan Haskins will operate as the team's third back given his utility as a special teams player.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Gets just one snap in Week 18
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Vidal went without a carry or target while playing one of the Chargers' 75 snaps on offense in Sunday's 34-20 win over the Raiders.
Though the Chargers were without Gus Edwards (ankle) for a second consecutive game, starting running back J.K. Dobbins (65 percent snap share) took on more playing time in his second game back from injured reserve, while Hassan Haskins (36 percent share) settled in as the clear No. 2 back. That left little work left over for Vidal, who finished the regular season with 43 carries for 155 yards and no touchdowns to go with five catches for 62 yards and a score on nine targets over his 10 appearances. If Edwards is available for Saturday's wild-card game in Houston, Vidal could find himself on the inactive list for the first time since Week 12.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Sees five carries in win
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Vidal tallied five carries for 24 yards in the 40-7 win over the Patriots on Saturday.
Vidal played just nine offensive snaps with J.K. Dobbins (knee) returning after a four-week absence. Meanwhile Hassan Haskins operated in the power-back capacity in replace of the injured Gus Edwards (ankle) as Haskins played 28 snaps while Dobbins saw 42 in the game that quickly evolved into a blowout by the third quarter. Vidal has flashed some explosiveness in his rookie season, but the committee approach will likely relegate the 23-year-old to a mere depth piece entering the playoffs.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Used sparingly in win
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Vidal carried the ball five times for 24 yards in the 34-27 win over the Broncos on Thursday.
It was Gus Edwards' time to shine Thursday, as the bruising back helped the team complete a feverish second-half rally, finishing with 14 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns. This very much felt like the Chargers acknowledging Edwards was the hot hand Thursday, as game script wouldn't necessarily suggest the power back being a focal point. As such, Vidal was simply an afterthought. The rookie did rip off a 19-yard run, his longest of the season, but otherwise was just used sparingly. Given the wide degree of variance week to week from this platoon backfield, it's hard to assume Vidal will be a fantasy factor Week 17 against the Patriots.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Five total touches in Week 15
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Vidal rushed three times for nine yards and caught two of three targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 40-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Vidal played the majority of snaps at running back for Los Angeles, handling 35 offensive snaps while veteran Gus Edward played just 14 snaps. Despite his increase in snap share, the rookie struggled to get much going, as the running game stalled against Tampa Bay's defense throughout the contest. Things won't get easier in Vidal's next game against a formidable Broncos defense. The 23-year-old will remain difficult to trust for fantasy purposes in Week 16.
Vidal played more than Gus Edwards in Week 14 and certainly looks like the more explosive player at this stage of their careers. I am hopeful that in Week 15 we see Vidal functioning as the lead back of a committe, which will make him a potential starter in the final two weeks of the playoffs.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Sees more work in loss
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Vidal registered eight carries for 34 yards in the 19-17 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. He did not catch his lone target.
Vidal saw his workload bump up from Week 13, but Gus Edwards still ended up with the team lead in carries (10 for 36). More crucially, Edwards got the team's only touchdown on the ground and was the focal point in the red zone, which is to be expected given the bruising back's running style. J.K. Dobbins (knee) was averaging over three targets a game in his five prior contests before going on injured reserve, so it's been interesting to see that neither Vidal nor Edwards have been a factor as a pass catcher, each seeing just one target over the past two weeks. That could change next week against a Buccaneers pass defense that has struggled mightily this season.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Week 14 Waiver Priority List
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With J.K. Dobbins (knee) on injured reserve, Vidal will be the No. 2 running back for the Chargers behind Gus Edwards until at least Week 17. In Week 13 at Atlanta, Edwards played 52 percent of the snaps, while Vidal was at 26 percent. He only had four carries for 20 yards, but hopefully he'll get more touches moving forward. He doesn't have an easy matchup in Week 14 at Kansas City, but then Vidal faces Tampa Bay in Week 15, which is favorable. He is worth adding in all leagues for 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Doesn't see major bump in work
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Vidal registered just four carries for 20 yards in the 17-13 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
It's hard to get very excited about this performance given the expectation was Vidal would see a substantial uptick in work due to J.K. Dobbins (knee) being placed on injured reserve, but to add some perspective, the Falcons turned the ball over four times and sported a nearly 12-minute advantage in the time-of-possession battle. Vidal's four touches were fewer than Gus Edwards' seven (including one reception for one yard), but neither back really got rolling in a disjointed overall offensive performance by the Chargers. Hassan Haskins, who played ahead of Vidal in the Week 12 loss, had just one carry in which he fumbled the ball, so at the very least the rookie Vidal should be considered the No. 2 back moving forward.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: May have role again
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Vidal may help replace J.K. Dobbins, who is expected to miss Sunday's game at Atlanta after suffering a knee sprain in Monday's 30-23 loss to the Ravens, Bobby Kownack of NFL.com reports.
Vidal played in four games earlier this season, averaging 4.5 carries for 11.0 yards (2.4 YPC) and 0.75 catches for 12.3 yards. He took his first NFL touch for a 38-yard receiving touchdown on a wheel route but then didn't do much thereafter and became a healthy inactive again once Gus Edwards returned from injured reserve. Edwards will likely take over as the lead runner, with Vidal and Haskins in backup roles. Vidal could be the pass-catching back in that arrangement, as Edwards and Haskins both are listed above 225 pounds and known for size and power more so than quickness or receiving ability.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Inactive Sunday
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Vidal is inactive for Sunday night's game against the Bengals.
With Vidal a healthy scratch for the second straight game, the Chargers' Week 11 RB duties will be handled by J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Hassan Haskins. In that context, the 2024 sixth-rounder will be off the fantasy radar unless injuries hit the team's backfield.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Healthy scratch for Week 10
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Vidal (coach's decision) is inactive against the Titans on Sunday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
Vidal has served as the Chargers' No. 3 running back for the last four regular-season games, but he will observe Sunday's game in street clothes. Gus Edwards and Hassan Haskins will be the Chargers' backup running backs behind J.K. Dobbins.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Limited action in Week 9
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Vidal carried the ball five times for seven yards in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Browns.
Vidal played 11 of the Chargers' 57 offensive snaps Sunday, well behind starter J.K. Dobbins (42). The rookie running back's seven total yards were the fewest he's gained in the four games in which he's been active this season. If Gus Edwards (ankle) returns from injured reserve soon, Vidal's already limited role could become even smaller.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Minimal production in Week 8
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Vidal rushed six times for 16 yards in Sunday's 26-8 win over the Saints.
Vidal played just 11 of the Chargers 66 offensive snaps Sunday, while starter J.K. Dobbins handled the majority of snaps (54) at running back against the Saints. Vidal has totaled just 13 rushes for 37 yards in three games, operating as the Chargers No. 2 back with Gus Edwards (ankle) on injured reserve. Edwards could return in Week 10, though there has been no update on whether he'll be ready by then. With that said, Vidal holds little fantasy value at this stage, especially with Edwards potentially returning soon. The rookie would need an injury to Dobbins to gain fantasy relevance going forward. Vidal and the Chargers will visit the Browns in Week 9.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Week 9 Waiver Priority List
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Vidal is a lottery ticket to stash as the No. 2 running back for the Chargers behind J.K. Dobbins, and Vidal is worth adding in all leagues for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB. If Dobbins were to miss any time, then Vidal would be a borderline starter in all leagues. Through three games, Vidal has 13 carries for 37 yards and three catches for 49 yards, and a touchdown on three targets.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Four touches against Cardinals
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Vidal rushed three times for 10 yards while also catching his lone target for nine yards in Monday's 17-15 loss to the Cardinals.
Vidal played just 18 of the Chargers 66 offensive snaps Monday, operating as the No. 2 running back behind J.K. Dobbins. The latter dominated in playing time (45 snaps) while also handling 17 touches on his way to 66 total yards from scrimmage. Vidal should continue to play the backup role with Gus Edwards (ankle) on injured reserve, though Dobbins should keep getting the majority of the workload out of the Los Angeles backfield.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Scores first career touchdown
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Vidal carried the ball four times for 11 yards and also caught both of his targets for 40 yards and a touchdown in the 23-16 win over the Broncos on Sunday.
Vidal's touchdown came on a brilliantly schemed wheel route in the first quarter, as the rookie caught a perfectly thrown ball in stride for a 30-yard touchdown. Otherwise the 2024 sixth-round pick was held in check as J.K. Dobbins saw a large workload (25 carries, two targets) in the first game since Gus Edwards (ankle) was placed on injured reserve. It's at least encouraging to see Vidal push aside Hassan Haskins (two carries, five yards), who had been playing over the rookie on game days to give the team some special-teams versatility. Expect Vidal to see a few more opportunities in the coming weeks as the Chargers look to replace the loss of Edwards.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Poised to enter backfield mix
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With Gus Edwards (ankle) having landed on IR ahead of Week 6 action, per Kris Rhim of ESPN, Vidal is on track to to be active Sunday against the Broncos.
Now that Edwards is slated to miss at least four contests, Vidal -- who's been inactive for the Chargers' first four outings thus far -- is poised to enter the team's backfield mix Sunday, alongside Hassan Haskins and top back J.K. Dobbins. It remains to be seen how much work Vidal sees in his looming NFL regular-season debut, but with Edwards sidelined and Dobbins' injury history in mind, Vidal, a 2024 sixth-rounder, is worthy of roster consideration for those with the flexibility to add him to see how Los Angeles' RB situation unfolds in the coming weeks.
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Chargers' Kimani Vidal: Inactive Sunday
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Vidal (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers.
Vidal -- who was also inactive last week -- could find himself in the Chargers' backfield mix in time, but for now the 2024 sixth-rounder is off the weekly lineup radar. Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins and Hassan Haskins are slated to handle the Chargers' RB duties in Week 2.
