Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Should be ready for training camp
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' J.K. Dobbins: Slated to join Chargers
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
J.K. Dobbins: Meeting with Kansas City
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
J.K. Dobbins: Lines up AFC West visit
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
J.K. Dobbins: Cleared for football activities
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Officially makes way to IR
Rotowire
The Ravens officially placed Dobbins (Achilles) on injured reserve Tuesday, Clifton Brown of the team's official site reports.
This move is merely procedural after Dobbins tore his Achilles during the Ravens' Week 1 win against the Texans, thereby ending his campaign. Baltimore will move forward with some combination of Gus Edwards and Justice Hill out of the backfield, while Melvin Gordon is a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad.
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..
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Exits Sunday's game
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: No limitations for Week 1
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Set to miss preseason finale
Rotowire
Dobbins isn't in line to play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Buccaneers, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.
Dobbins, who is entering his contract year, missed the Ravens' mandatory minicamp in June and then didn't participate in the team's first 14 practices of training camp, said Wednesday that he's had "good conversations" with general manager Eric DeCosta about his future. While Dobbins acknowledges that he wasn't 100 percent healthy at the end of the 2022 season, he believes that his speed is different in 2023 compared to last season and feels "amazing" as the coming season approaches. Come Week 1, look for Dobbins to lead Baltimore's backfield, with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill in the mix for complementary touches and either Melvin Gordon or Keaton Mitchell on hand in reserve.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Not slated to play Monday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Progresses to team drills Friday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Makes practice debut
Rotowire
Dobbins (undisclosed) is participating in practice Monday, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.
Dobbins has been activated from the active/PUP list and is participating in his first practice session of training camp, meaning he could be available for next Monday's preseason game against the Commanders. The 24-year-old missed Baltimore's preseason opener, in addition to the first 14 practices of training camp, but he still has just under a month to get up to full speed before Sept. 10's regular-season opener against the Texans. Dobbins has been in attendance at team meetings, but on-field reps will be extremely valuable for the expected leader of a backfield that also houses Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Melvin Gordon and Keaton Mitchell.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Frustrated with contract
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Tops 100 scrimmage yards in loss
Rotowire
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).
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Confirmed inactive
Rotowire
Dobbins (rest) is inactive for Sunday's game in Cincinnati.
TE Mark Andrews and G Kevin Zeitler also are inactive after not having injury designations for the game. Other starters may be rested as well in preparation for the wild-card round, and QB Tyler Huntley (shoulder) joins QB Lamar Jackson (knee) on the inactive list. Dobbins, Andrews and Zeitler will be back for the playoffs; the real question is whether Jackson and/or Huntley will be.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
Rotowire
Dobbins ran well in Week 17 against Pittsburgh, but he had an empty stat line with 17 carries for 93 yards and no touchdowns or targets for nine PPR points. That's the fear with Dobbins when he's not running for 125 yards that if he doesn't score a touchdown he's going to hurt your Fantasy team, especially with a limited role in the passing game. The Bengals are a tough matchup since Cincinnati has allowed just three running backs all season to eclipse 70 rushing yards. And the Bengals have held Derrick Henry, Nick Chubb, Leonard Fournette and Rhamondre Stevenson to 44 rushing yards or less over the past five games. I like Dobbins as just a flex this week, with his value higher in non-PPR leagues.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Leads backfield with 93 yards
Rotowire
Dobbins rushed 17 times for 93 yards and was not targeted in the passing game in Sunday's 16-13 loss to Pittsburgh.
This Steelers-Ravens rivalry game lived up to the billing, producing a physical, low-scoring bout. Dobbins did his part by churning out big chunks on the ground despite facing six-man defensive fronts at times. Head coach John Harbaugh stuck with the hot hand after fellow back Gus Edwards (three carries for two yards) struggled early in the contest. It will be important to monitor the result of the Bengals' game on Monday, as the Ravens will still have a chance to play for the division crown next week if Cincinnati loses to the Bills. If Baltimore enters Week 18 with nothing meaningful to play for, it wouldn't be surprising to see the oft-injured Dobbins' playing time limited in preparation for postseason play.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: RBs to Start
Rotowire
It was a welcomed sight to see Dobbins back in Week 14 at Pittsburgh after missing the past six games with a knee injury, and he looked good with 15 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown. He said he still doesn't feel right, but hopefully that happens in Week 15 at Cleveland. The Browns are No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Gus Edwards had 16 carries for 66 yards and two touchdowns when these teams met in Week 7 while Dobbins was out. He'll share touches with Edwards and potentially Kenyan Drake this week, but Dobbins should be a standout No. 2 running back in all leagues. For the season, 10 running backs have scored at least 15 PPR points against the Browns.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' J.K. Dobbins: Start Him (Lineup Decisions)
Rotowire
Dobbins might not have been the most explosive version of himself last week, but he did get plenty of opportunities and he thrived with them. He has an even easier matchup this week and should punch in for at least 15 touches again. He's a must-start No. 2 Fantasy RB ahead of Travis Etienne, Zonovan Knight and David Montgomery.
