Dobbins rushed 14 times for 40 yards and brought in all three targets for 26 yards in the Chargers' 17-15 loss to the Cardinals on Monday.
Dobbins once again paced the Chargers backfield in carries and rushing yards, although he surprisingly found running room at a premium against what had been a vulnerable Cardinals defense. The veteran running back also tied a season high in receptions while posting his second-highest total of receiving yards, making it a reasonably productive outing overall. Dobbins next takes aim at the struggling Saints in a Week 8 home matchup on Sunday.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Over century mark in total yards
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Dobbins carried the ball 25 times for 96 yards and a touchdown in the 23-16 win over the Broncos on Sunday. He also caught both of his targets for six yards.
Dobbins was effectively held in check as he averaged under four yards a carry, but quarterback Justin Herbert was brilliant in the first half, helping the offense expand a three-score lead that seemed insurmountable. Perhaps more importantly, Dobbins easily set a season high in carries, in part because of the game script, but this was also the first game without Gus Edwards (ankle), who was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Rookie Kimani Vidal (four carries 11 yards plus two catches for 40 yards and a touchdown) will likely get more involved as the weeks progress, but Dobbins appears to have a significant lock on the backfield at the moment.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Limited production against Chiefs
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Dobbins rushed the ball 14 times for 32 yards in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Chiefs. He added three receptions (on four targets) for 30 yards.
Dobbins maintained his stronghold on the Chargers backfield, out-touching Gus Edwards 17-6. His efficiency disappeared, however, as he was held to two or fewer yards on nine of his 14 carries. Dobbins now has been bottled up for a combined 76 yards on 29 rush attempts in his last two games, though he's faced two of the better run defenses in the league after squaring off against Pittsburgh in Week 3. Dobbins should continue to have volume on his side when the Chargers return to the field Week 6, and he'll have a better chance of turning in improved efficiency.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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The Chargers starting offensive tackles of Rashawn Slater (pectoral) and Joe Alt (MCL sprain) are expected to miss Week 4, which is bad news for Dobbins. And Justin Herbert (ankle) could be out as well. Dobbins has been fantastic so far this season with two games of at least 20.1 PPR points, and he's stepped up as the No. 1 running back for the Chargers ahead of Gus Edwards. But this is a tough situation for Dobbins with a backup quarterback and an injured offensive line. Along with that, the Chiefs are No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, so Dobbins is just a flex option at best in Week 4.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Not able to build off big workload
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Dobbins carried the ball 15 times for 44 yards and also caught all three of his targets for 10 yards in the 20-10 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Dobbins' platoon backfield partner, Gus Edwards, saw just three carries in this one as the game plan seemed reliant on Dobbins' shiftiness to make yardage out of nothing. While he was excellent against first contact, the overall offense clearly seemed outmatched against the Steelers, and that became increasingly more apparent after Justin Herbert left in the second half due to an ankle injury. It likely won't get a whole lot easier against the Chiefs next week, especially if star rookie tackle Joe Alt misses time after he suffered a lower-body injury late in the loss.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Electric in season debut
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Dobbins tallied 10 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 22-10 win over the Raiders. He also caught all three of his targets for four yards.
Dobbins had separate runs of 46 yards and 61 yards in the second half as the run-centric offense finally wore down the Raiders across the final 30 minutes of the contest. The fifth-year running back saw fewer carries than Gus Edwards (11 for 26 yards), but it was clear the scheme called for Dobbins to take the majority of rushes outside, and he also saw an overwhelming majority of the targets out of the backfield. While the 2020 second-round pick was chased down on both of his long runs, his clear burst and acceleration felt reminiscent of his early years with the Ravens before a series of serious knee injuries hurt his career trajectory. Dobbins could be poised for another heavy workload against a Panthers defense that allowed 47 points in Week 1.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Healthy heading into Week 1
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Dobbins looked healthy in training camp and the preseason and shouldn't face any restrictions heading into Sunday's season opener against the Raiders, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
While he was with the Ravens in 2023, Dobbins tore his Achilles in Week 1 and missed the rest of the season, but he has healed up and has looked spry thus far during his time with the Chargers. Popper believes Dobbins will contribute regularly as a pass catcher, and the running back still has the speed to beat defenders to the edge. Dobbins is expected to begin his Chargers tenure in a timeshare with Gus Edwards. Both running backs previously played under Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman in Baltimore.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Not in line to play Saturday
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Dobbins isn't slated to play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Seahawks, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
The same goes for fellow key RB Gus Edwards, which sets the stage for Kimani Vidal, Isaiah Spiller, Jaret Patterson and Elijah Dotson to handle backfield work versus Seattle on Saturday. Dobbins' next chance to see exhibition action will be Aug. 17 against the Rams.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Should be ready for training camp
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Dobbins (Achilles), who agreed to terms with the Chargers on Thursday, "should be" ready for training camp according to GM Joe Hortiz, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network relayed last month that Dobbins -- who suffered a torn Achilles in Baltimore's regular-season opener in 2023 -- has been cleared for football activities, with previous reports having noted that the running back had resumed running this offseason. Based on the assessment of Hortiz on Thursday, Dobbins is still working his way back from his injury; however, if the 2020 second-rounder is able to return to form, he and Gus Edwards (who also came over from the Ravens in free agency) have a chance to provide an effective 1-2 punch in the Chargers' backfield in 2024 under the guidance of offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who both players worked with in Baltimore.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Slated to join Chargers
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Dobbins (Achilles) agreed Wednesday with the Chargers on a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
A second-round pick of the Ravens in 2020, Dobbins had two of his first four professional seasons cut short due to an ACL tear in 2021 and then a torn left Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign. In his 24 career appearances, he's averaged a robust 5.8 yards on 234 carries, gathered in 27 of 35 targets for 177 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache penned a letter to NFL teams in late March noting that Dobbins had received medical clearance to participate in football activities, but his new contract will be contingent on him passing a physical. Once the move west to Los Angeles becomes official, Dobbins will join forces with former teammate Gus Edwards at the top of the depth chart at running back, giving him some fantasy appeal while he works alongside franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.
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J.K. Dobbins: Meeting with Kansas City
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Dobbins (Achilles) is visiting Kansas City on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Dobbins met with the Chargers last week, shortly after orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache notified NFL teams that the running back has medical clearance for football activities. The 25-year-old is coming up on the seven-month mark since suffering an Achilles' tear in Baltimore's Week 1 win over Houston. Schefter's report Tuesday morning suggests Dobbins is expected to sign a contract soon.
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J.K. Dobbins: Lines up AFC West visit
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Dobbins (Achilles) is visiting the Chargers on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Dobbins, who was recently medically cleared for football activities, is coming off a left Achilles tear after previously missing all of 2021 and about half of the 2022 season due to a torn ACL and proceeding issues. That medical history undercuts otherwise impressive career numbers for Dobbins, who has averaged 5.8 yards per carry and scored 13 touchdowns since entering the NFL in 2020 as a second-round pick by the Ravens, but only suited up for 24 games in that span. Reuniting with offensive coordinator Greg Roman could make the most sense as a landing spot for Dobbins, but it's possible he doesn't garner more interest than a potential prove-it deal. The Chargers signed Gus Edwards,a former Baltimore backfield mate of Dobbins, early in free agency.
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J.K. Dobbins: Cleared for football activities
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Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache wrote in a letter to NFL teams Tuesday that Dobbins (Achilles) has received clearance to take part in football activities, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Dobbins underwent surgery for a torn left Achilles on Sept. 15, and he's a little less than seven months removed from his injury. The running back posted a video in late February of him running on turf and then a treadmill, so it would appear he's ready to take the next steps in his recovery. Since the Ravens selected him in the second round of the 2020 Draft, Dobbins has been dynamic when available, averaging a robust 5.8 yards per carry with 12 touchdowns in his 234 rushes over 24 games. However, his medical chart includes a torn ACL in addition to the aforementioned Achilles injury, so he may have to settle for a prove-it deal wherever he ends up. Dobbins is expected to begin visiting teams in the near future.
Coach John Harbaugh confirmed Sunday that Dobbins has a torn Achilles and will miss the rest of the season.
With Dobbins out for the rest of the campaign, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill are next up for the team's carries going forward, while Melvin Gordon and Owen Wright are candidates to be elevated from Baltimore's practice squad ahead of Week 2 action..
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Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Exits Sunday's game
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Dobbins was forced out of Sunday's game against the Texans with an ankle injury, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Per Hensley, Dobbins wasn't able to put any pressure on the affected leg as he headed into the Ravens' locker room. In his absence, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill are next up for the team's carries.
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Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: No limitations for Week 1
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Coach John Harbaugh said Friday that Dobbins has no snap count limitations for Sunday's game against the Texans, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports.
Dobbins spent a large chunk of training camp "holding in" due to his desire for a new contract. He never received one and got a late start to practice. Now more than a full year removed from ACL surgery and healthy off of last year's scope, Dobbins looks positioned for a particularly big workload against Houston with the Ravens installed as heavy home favorites. This is a great matchup for the 24-year-old back.
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Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Not slated to play Monday
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Dobbins isn't in line to play in Monday's preseason contest against the Commanders, Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Dobbins returned to team drills during this past Friday's practice, but it appears as though the Ravens plan to play it safe with their top back versus Washington. In that event, Dobbins' final opportunity to see preseason snaps will arrive Saturday against the Buccaneers.
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Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Progresses to team drills Friday
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Dobbins participated in team drills at Friday's practice, his first time doing so in training camp, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.
Dobbins ended his "hold-in" earlier this week and started practicing Monday following his activation from the PUP list. He'd been limited to individual work up until Friday. With 23 days until the Ravens' Week 1 opener, Dobbins will have plenty of time to get his legs underneath him in preparation to serve as the team's lead back.
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Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Frustrated with contract
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Dobbins (undisclosed) declined to comment on reports he missed June minicamp due to a soft tissue injury and suggested Thursday that he's frustrated with his contract situation, ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports. "The business side is very hard. It's very different," Dobbins told WJZ-TV on Thursday. "You saw with Lamar [Jackson]. It's never just roses and daisies."
Coach John Harbaugh cited an unspecified soft tissue injury earlier in the week to explain Dobbins' absence from practice, while the running back seems to be saying his contract was a factor. They both said he'll be back on the field for training camp, with Dobbins making it clear he hopes to sign an extension in the interim as he enters the final season of his rookie contract. The 24-year-old has averaged 5.9 yards on 226 carries since the Ravens selected him 55th overall in the 2020 Draft, but he's missed more games (27) than he's played (23) and has caught only 25 passes. Dobbins should be at least somewhat more active as a pass catcher under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who told reporters Thursday that he's excited to see Dobbins on the field and knows the Ravens "certainly are better with him" out there. Dobbins was with the team during minicamp despite not practicing and said he'd ideally like to spend the rest of his career with the Ravens, but things could become more tenuous if he still doesn't have a new contract later this summer.
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Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Tops 100 scrimmage yards in loss
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Dobbins rushed 13 times for 62 yards while catching four of five targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-17 wild-card round loss to the Bengals.
Dobbins managed to stretch the ball over the goal line on his two-yard touchdown catch to get the Ravens on the board in the second quarter. He was also Baltimore's most effective option on the ground, finishing with one more carry than Gus Edwards and eight more rushing yards than quarterback Tyler Huntley. After two surgeries on his knee, Dobbins finally looks to have regained pre-injury form, which will make the 2020 second-round pick out of Ohio State an enticing fantasy option in 2023 as the lead back in a run-first Ravens offense that's likely to be quarterbacked by Lamar Jackson (knee).
