Kimani Vidal didn't know exactly when his opportunity would come, but the Chargers second-year running was confident it was on the horizon.
Because of that, Vidal knew he had to stay ready.
He certainly did just that in more when the chance came for the first time this season.
"I just knew whenever my opportunity came again, I wanted to be ready," Vidal said this week. "I feel like I was pretty ready."
Vidal later added: "If I had to tell myself where I'm at and everything that's happened since the beginning of the season, I honestly wouldn't believe it."
Vidal had a career-best performance in Week 6 against the Dolphins, leading the running back room with 124 yards on 18 attempts to go along with three catches for 14 yards and a touchdown.
And it's not just his play on Sunday that turned heads, it's everything he's done up to this point.
It's Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh was excited about what he could do heading into last Sunday's game.
"What's been standing out is his preparation over the last year, year and a half since he's been with us. The attention to detail, the focus, the training, the competitiveness mindset he has, the shape he's gotten himself into," Harbaugh said. "He's become a real pro. Just done a great job.
"I was really excited, he's one of the guys I was most excited about as a next man up to see him go out and not just another game for him, it's the game," Harbaugh added. "He rose to the challenge, career day. There's things to improve, but I thought he had a great day."
That preparation was well apparent this past Sunday — and it's because of the work he's been putting in even when he wasn't guaranteed to play.
Check out the best photos from practice on Wednesday at The Bolt in El Segundo!
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
This moment was far from a sure thing for the second year running back, who was not on the active roster until last week when Omarion Hampton was placed on Injured Reserve.
After not making the Chargers initial 53-man roster prior to the season, he decided to return to the team on the practice squad with a determination to not let it affect him in any way.
Instead, he took it as a way to continue to dial in and improve in the areas for when the time came.
"I just took it day by day," Vidal said. "If you're not getting better, you're getting worse. I just knew if an opportunity came by again, I wanted to be ready."
He made it his mission to approach it as if he was and used all the time he got to continue developing, even though he wasn't playing early in the year.
Each game week was another opportunity to get better, even on the sidelines.
"Especially in the situation I was in starting off in the first week, I knew I wasn't going to play in that game, so I was just trying to get better," Vidal said. "It sounds crazy but not playing in the game, using that to my advantage as much as I can, training harder, training longer.
"Just treating it like you're working towards something," Vidal added.
This approach Vidal took was one that Harbaugh could tell in real time and had high praise for.
"It's high-level competitor, high level mindset of a person that doesn't get discouraged," Harbaugh said about Vidal. "'Oh, I didn't do this, they got this back, they didn't keep me on the 53.' I think his mindset was good, that makes me work harder, train better, and listen more.
"He's really good at all those things, but you can see it amp up," Harbaugh added. "Not flinch one bit and work on getting better each day. Better today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today. There was never a word said by him, he was saying everything by what he did."
Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman added: "A guy that's kind of had to wait his turn, really maximized his opportunities. First time out there as a starter and had a big game for us, a big difference in the game for us. Always things to learn and grow from, and he will. Back to work the next day, you wouldn't know anything had changed."
It showed on the field in a variety of ways in Week 6 as he was able to give the Bolts some explosive runs to keep the chains moving.
But having played two-thirds of the offensive snaps against the Dolphins also meant getting a number of snaps in pass protection, an area of growth for the young running back that he believes will continue to get better with experience.
"I feel much better now. Half of it is just seeing it multiple times," Vidal said. "I think back to last year, the Broncos had a couple of pretty good blitzes, Tampa Bay definitely had some really good blitzes. It's different for every team.
"The Colts have a different package than the Dolphins did," Vidal added. "It's just going at it week by week and focusing in on it that week."
Down two running backs to injury, Vidal showcased the 'next man up' mentality the team harps on under Harbaugh.
"What you do speaks so loudly you don't even have to hear what somebody says," Harbaugh said. "That was the case with Kimani Vidal these last months, weeks and days. That's why I'm excited for this guy … to see a guy get his opportunity, seize that opportunity and make the most of it, nothing but respect."
Justin Herbert added: "To understand what he's doing, to step in there. You lose a couple of backs and you feel like you can put Kimani out there and he'll go make a play. He's done such a great job in protection as well, catching passes out of the backfield. He's a complete back and really thankful to have him on our team."
After what the last week has been, Vidal said he's ready to put the performance behind him.
It's all eyes on the Colts, with the hope of building on the success so far.
"I try not to focus on it. It takes what it takes throughout the week," Vidal said. "Work, keep trying to get better, work on what I need to correct, correct those things and move on.
"That game is over, it's in the past and focus on the Colts," Vidal added.
