Several teams around the league are fielding bad news on the injury front as the month of August comes to an end, and the Baltimore Ravens are no different. The latest blow to their depth chart involves starting running back J.K. Dobbins, who was carted off early in the preseason finale against the Washington Football Team with an apparent knee injury. Dobbins caught a short pass and then was met by two different Washington defenders, who hit him low. The running back remained on the ground for some time, and then was helped off the field by two trainers.
On the way to the blue medical tent, Dobbins did not put much weight on his left leg. After exiting the tent, he was carted to the locker room while Baltimore officially ruled him out for the remainder of the game. His season was suddenly in grave danger, with the Ravens fearing a season-ending torn ACL, which has now been confirmed as such, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Dobbins won't return until 2022.
The second-round pick out of Ohio State impressed in his rookie season, as he rushed for 805 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games played with just one official start. He's set up to be Baltimore's No. 1 running back moving forward, however, but the Ravens are still holding their breath and hoping against hope Dobbins escapes the worst-case scenario. Baltimore had a dominant 37-3 victory, but lost their star running back in the process.
With Dobbins done for the season, the onus falls on backups like Gus Edwards and Justice Hill to step up and produce behind and alongside former league MVP Lamar Jackson. Already currently without rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman due to a groin injury, the Ravens are simply trying to get their offense to the regular season as whole as is possible.