Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh checked into the blue medical tent moments before kick-off against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field, and ended up walking to the locker room.
The head coach was initially ruled questionable to return with Jesse Minter serving as interim head coach on the sidelines. The Chargers confirmed that Harbaugh was dealing with an illness, but no further updates have been issued at this time.
Harbaugh’s brother, John, is head coach of the Baltimore Ravens and cut short his postgame press conference after beating the Washington Commanders. Harbaugh was informed about his brothers condition and went back to the locker room to make a call.
The Chargers head coach then returned to the sidelines with his team 10-0 up against the Broncos. Cameron Dicker converted a 20-yard field goal to put the Chargers ahead, before rookie running back Kimani Vidal scored a 38-yard touchdown on his NFL debut.
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Vidal’s first touchdown came on his very first catch as a Chargers player, as he went for 38 yards and into the end zone. Vidal was a sixth-round pick out of Troy in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he’s rated extremely highly by the organization.
After selecting him 181st overall, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz explained the rationale behind the pick. “One, he can carry the rock,” Hortiz said. “He’s done it very well during his career there. He has great vision, burst, excellent contact balance, strength.
“He’s not a tall back, but he’s not a small back. He’s 215 pounds, I think, and just runs through arm tackles, can make guys miss, take a hit, stay on his feet, great balance, strong. DBs are closing in on him, he’ll punch them with a stiff arm and just keep going.
“He just competes. He also offers something in the passing game, as well. When you watch him block, it’s impressive. He will throw it up in there against a blitzing linebacker.”
Vidal was promoted ahead of Week following the injury to running back Gus Edwards, with Harbaugh explaining: “He’s sitting on a spring, ready to go.” Vidal also backs himself, after declaring he was the best “three-down back” in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“I can run between the tackles well, pass block, and catch out of the backfield,” Vidal said at the NFL Combine. “I would say I’m the best three-down back there is in this draft.”
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