Dobbins (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh suggested earlier in the week the talented running back would be out some time, and now we know Dobbins will miss at minimum four weeks due to a knee sprain. He should be back well in time for the NFL playoffs, but fantasy managers will be without the powerful back until at least Week 17 against the Patriots. Gus Edwards and Hassan Haskins were the two backs used in the Week 12 loss to the Ravens, but that was in part because rookie Kimani Vidal wasn't active for the contest, as the Chargers prefer Haskins' utility on special teams. Vidal could be poised to see the biggest leap in playing time, perhaps effectively taking over Dobbins' role as an explosive option out of the backfield, with Edwards operating as a bruising between-the-tackles ball carrier.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Won't return Monday
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Dobbins (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's Week 12 contest against the Ravens.
Dobbins was injured in the first half and wasn't able to reenter the game. He finished Monday's matchup with six carries for 40 yards and three catches (on five targets) for 19 yards. Gus Edwards has taken over lead back duties for Los Angeles in Dobbins' absence.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Two touchdowns in win
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Dobbins registered 11 carries for 56 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner, in Sunday's 34-27 victory over the Bengals. He also caught his lone target for three yards.
Dobbins was bottled up until the team's final play, when the talented running back bounced an inside zone run far left for a 29-yard touchdown with the Bengals likely expecting the Chargers to sit on the ball for a cheap game-winning field goal as time expired. While the 25-year-old did score another touchdown earlier in the day to effectively secure a solid fantasy day, it's worth noting that score came only after Hassan Haskins was given two carries at the one yard line, failing to punch it in either time. Haskins also vultured a touchdown against his former team, the Titans, last week, and Gus Edwards once again saw a decent amount of snaps (six carries, 27 yards), so there appears to be a situational platoon backfield at play despite Haskins' ineffectiveness in particular.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: RBs to Start
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I had my doubts about Dobbins going into Week 9 at Cleveland, but I removed him as the Bust Alert prior to Sunday, which proved to be the right move. He dominated the Browns with 14 carries for 85 yards, two touchdowns, and two catches for 20 yards, and he has now scored at least 16.8 PPR points in three of his past four games. The Titans run defense has fallen apart lately, and Tennessee has allowed seven total touchdowns to running backs in the past three games against Buffalo, Detroit, and New England. Dobbins could be in line for a huge game in Week 10.
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Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Stays busy in loss
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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: 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.
