Omarion Hampton stats today: Chargers rookie RB's preseason debut hints at massive role

Omarion Hampton has been one of the most hyped first-round rookies early in 2025 NFL training camps. Starting the Chargers' first preseason game in Thursday night's Hall of Fame exhibition vs. the Lions, Hampton wasted no time in showing why the Los Angeles Chargers drafted No. 22 overall from North Carolina.

Hampton got only one series, a short 28-yard touchdown drive after Detroit fumbled the opening kickoff. He also officially had only two carries in his 2:40 of initial action. That was enough to show coach Jim Harbaugh he should be the powerful workhorse to carry a feature load right away.

Reports out of training camp have been raving most about Hampton's strength as a runner, including his ability to push through small holes and fight for every yard after initial contact. Harbaugh, in an interview with NFL Network, called that ability "Mush," also referring to Hampton's apt nickname.

Here's more on Hampton's preseason debut.

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Omarion Hampton stats vs. Lions

• Carries: 2
• Yards: 9

The rookie's first run didn't count on the stat sheet, but on a 2-and-1 at the Lions' 19, Hampton popped through the Chargers' interior line for an easy conversion of two yards. The Lions' offside penalty was accepted, but Hampton's short-yardage acumen was seen.

Hampton then showed his relentless burst on the next play, an eight-yard blast over right guard to put the ball at the 5-yard line. He looked like he might score on his 3rd-and-3 carry he took around the left side, only to be stuffed by a great play by Lions defensive back Rock Ya-Sin.

Rock Ya-Sin prevented Omarion Hampton’s ADP from climbing 5+ slots tomorrow pic.twitter.com/4sferjQPoa

— Sean Koerner (@The_Oddsmaker) August 1, 2025

One play later, Trey Lance used the threat of Hampton to roll out to the right and throw a short TD pass to tight end Will Dissly, ending Hampton's night. He lived up to his billing with his running style, and the Chargers didn't need to see anymore.

Our first score: Trey Lance throws a 5-yard TD to Will Dissly on 4th down. pic.twitter.com/96Pzd0mUWi

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 1, 2025

Hampton going one-and-done meant that Harbaugh is treating the rookie like a veteran No. 1 on the depth chart. With free-agent addition Najee Harris having no return date after suffering a fireworks-related injury to his eye, Hampton has been able to accelerate his impact and importance to the run-heavy Chargers' offense. Harris might have blown his chance to get significant touches over Hampton early or at any point in the season.

Last season in the rushing attack between former Ravens JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards, the Chargers got 296 carries for 1,270 yards and 13 touchdowns. But their injury-riddled pasts prompted the team to get a young, durable player with some recent elite production, which Hampton had in spades at North Carolina.

That's the baseline pool of numbers available to Hampton just in the running game. In Harbaugh's first year, the Chargers went from 39 percent running plays in 2023 to 45 percent. They are in line to be more run-oriented this year with Hampton and Harris.

Hampton's limited debut work still adds up to massive role to come to improve the Chargers' offense.