Chargers Reportedly Make 'Preliminary' Trade Calls at RB, OT Ahead of NFL Deadline

The Los Angeles Chargers are continuing to make "preliminary" trade calls for running backs and offensive tackles ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline, NFL insider Josina Anderson reported Tuesday.

The news comes after Omarion Hampton suffered an ankle injury that landed him on IR after a Week 5 loss to the visiting Washington Commanders.

The injury further thinned a Chargers backfield that had already lost Najee Harris to a torn Achilles tendon in Week 3.

The Chargers were also missing left tackle Joe Alt due to an ankle injury and right tackle Trey Pipkins due to a knee injury during a Week 6 win at the Miami Dolphins.

The Bolts already lost Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater in the preseason with a ruptured patellar tendon.

The Chargers leaned on Kimani Vidal to drive the run game in his first career NFL start. The second-year running back led the Bolts with 16 carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Given that the Dolphins lead the NFL with more than 1,000 total rushing yards allowed through Week 6, however, the Chargers may want more options in case Vidal is unable to replicate that performance against stronger upcoming opponents like the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported last Saturday that the Chargers had been calling teams about running backs who could serve "either a depth piece or a starter."

Rapoport and Garafolo named the New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara and the New York Jets' Breece Hall as running backs expected to receive trade interest ahead of the deadline, although both Kamara and Hall have reportedly expressed interest in staying with their respective teams.

The Chargers could also be looking for tackle help after the team's Week 6 win, which was highlighted by a last-minute catch-and-run play by Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey that didn't erase concerns about a starting tackle duo of Bobby Hart and Austin Deculus.

Before Sunday, Hart hadn't played since 2022, while Deculus appeared in just one game with the Houston Texans last season. Especially if Alt is sidelined for any significant length of time, more experience at the position will be a top priority as the Bolts look to better protect Herbert down the stretch.