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Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal (30) celebrates his touchdown, a 38-yard reception on his first NFL touch, with center Bradley Bozeman. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
Kimani Vidal was not used to watching from the sideline on game day. The Chargers running back was less than a year removed from becoming Troy’s all-time leader in yards rushing when he found himself inactive for his first four NFL games.
Struggling to carve out a role, Vidal reached out to an old coach looking for advice, inspiration, encouragement. Anything to help the rookie stay on track toward his goal.
“He just needed a spurt of something going right for him,” former Troy coach Jon Sumrall said.
The moment arrived last weekend in Denver when Vidal broke free down the sideline on a wide-open wheel route, held on to a Justin Herbert pass with his fingertips and didn’t break stride as he raced 38 yards into the end zone untouched.
First NFL touch, first touchdown.
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Vidal, who broke into the rotation with Gus Edwards out because of an ankle injury, spiked the ball against the wall behind the end zone. Center Bradley Bozeman lifted the 5-foot-8 rookie into the air in celebration.
“I was just blessed to be able to have the opportunity to go out there and contribute,” said Vidal, who finished with two catches for 40 yards and 11 yards rushing in four carries.
Drafted in the sixth round last spring, Vidal had been lost in the shuffle behind veteran running backs Edwards and J.K. Dobbins and special teams contributor Hassan Haskins.
From being the busiest running back in college — his 297 carries as a senior at Troy led all players in the Football Bowl Subdivision — Vidal called the unfamiliar view from the sideline “definitely frustrating at first.”
Chargers rookie Kimani Vidal (30) find some running room against the Denver Broncos defense. (Bart Young / Associated Press)
Vidal was slowed during training…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/touchdown-first-nfl-touch-chargers-100048211.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-10-18 10:00:48
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