Chargers solve RB injury crisis with ESPN's trade idea from AFC foe

Chargers solve RB injury crisis with ESPN's trade idea from AFC foe originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Chargers didn't draw up their running back room quite like this.

Najee Harris is out for the season, and Omarion Hampton is on Injured Reserve and has to miss at least three more games.

That leaves Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins to carry the RB load. Vidal did a great job in Week 6, so it's not a total disaster, but it's not ideal.

There could be a trade in the cards just to rebuild the depth.

ESPN's Bill Barnwell predicts a deal with the Cleveland Browns that lands Jerome Ford for a sixth-round pick.

The Browns have Quinshon Judkins starting and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson in the mix. They don't need Ford.

"Ford's due only $1.2 million over the rest of 2025, and he has averaged a respectable 4.4 yards per carry as a pro, often with dismal passing attacks," Barnwell writes. "As a veteran back who can soak up meaningful touches now and complement Hampton after the rookie returns, Ford fits the sort of profile the Chargers would be looking to add via trade. The Browns would need to find another back to help absorb some of the pass-down workload behind Judkins, but the draft picks are worth more to Cleveland than guys who are going to help their 2025 roster."

The Chargers wouldn't have to immediately make Ford their main guy if they didn't want to. He'd just present another option.

If someone like Vidal were to get hurt now, the Chargers would have to dig deep onto the scrap heap for more RB help. They might be better off being proactive, bringing aboard a guy like Ford and hoping that their depth will finally be enough despite the attrition.