EL SEGUNDO — Oronde Gadsden was the Chargers’ fifth-round draft pick in April, a versatile tight end they projected to be the sort of playmaker they lacked during Jim Harbaugh’s first season as coach, someone capable of rocketing to the top of the depth chart after only a few games in the NFL.
Kimani Vidal was the Chargers’ sixth-round selection in 2024, a running back who could give them depth at a position that had been very productive with Austin Ekeler at that spot during the regime of Tom Telesco as the team’s general manager and Brandon Staley as its coach.
Gadsden, 22, was a standout wide receiver and tight end at Syracuse University.
Vidal, 24, was a superb rusher at Troy University in Troy, Alabama.
Gadsden, the son of an NFL wide receiver of the same name, made an excellent first impression during the Chargers’ spring practices and, especially, during training camp. It seemed only a matter of time during the regular season before he shouldered his way into a starter’s role.
Vidal, the great-nephew of baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, played a waiting game during his rookie season and well into 2025, too. He was prepared when called upon, though, after injuries to the running backs ahead of him on the depth chart thrust him into a starting position.
Gadsden is the Chargers’ fourth-leading receiver with 27 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns. He’s averaging 14.3 yards per reception, second behind wide receiver Quentin Johnston’s 14.5 yards per catch. Only three teammates have more TD catches, led by Johnston’s five.
Vidal is the Chargers’ second-leading rusher with 279 yards and one touchdown on 54 carries. He’s averaging 5.2 yards per attempt, second among his teammates to quarterback Justin Herbert, whose frequent scrambles from the pocket have led to an average of 6.7 yards per carry.
Gadsden has played six of eight games, starting two this season.
Vidal has played five of eight, starting the past three.
Where would the Chargers be without them, heading into Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans? Probably not 5-3 going into Week 9, and certainly not coming off last week’s 37-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, their most complete game in a season that has been filled with ups and downs.
“Oronde’s impact lately is what we’ve foreseen, or hoped for, and would increase as he got acclimated and got his feet on the ground,” Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said earlier this week while addressing the depth of reliable and effective targets for Herbert this season.
Of Vidal’s play in the absence of injured backs Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton, Roman said, “I think Kimani is looking like a No. 1 back. I think he’s doing really well. I love how he ran the ball the other night. I feel really happy for that young man. He’s got an opportunity and he’s taking advantage of it.”
By the “other night,” Roman referred to the Chargers’ rout of the Vikings on “Thursday Night Football” at SoFi Stadium. Gadsden caught five passes on five targets for 77 yards and one touchdown. Vidal rushed for 117 yards and one TD on 23 carries, his second 100-yard game in three starts.
Roman smiled when asked about the progress each player has made so far this season and how rewarding it has been for him and the coaching staff.
“Oh yeah, that’s as good as it gets,” Roman said. “That’s what it’s all about, you know, bringing in a young player straight out of college and then seeing him just climb that ladder. There’s nothing more satisfying, as a coach, when you see those guys (improve), and the more they can do, the more they’re going to be asked to do. Then, all of a sudden, that opens up things a little bit more.”
The Chargers are reaping the rewards through the season’s first eight weeks.
EXTRA POINTS
Gadsden is expected to start again Sunday in place of Will Dissly, who has been sidelined by an illness this week after he was a healthy scratch for the game against the Vikings. … The Chargers opened the window for long snapper Josh Harris to return to the active roster from injured reserve. Harris was sidelined by a chest injury since training camp. … Cornerback Nikko Reed is likely to fill in Sunday for Tarheeb Still, who hurt his knee in the victory over the Vikings. … Running back Jaret Patterson is expected to replace Hassan Haskins as Vidal’s backup for Sunday’s game against the Titans. Haskins has an injured hamstring. … Safety Tony Jefferson sat out of practice for the second consecutive day because of a hamstring injury.
