Former Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins has made the decision to sign a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, as confirmed by his agency, LAA Sports. This move not only brings him to a new team but also reunites him with Greg Roman, his former offensive coordinator in Baltimore, as well as his former Ravens backfield mate Gus Edwards. Dobbins, who was the Ravens’ lead back when healthy, boasts a playing style that differs from Edwards’, showcasing elusiveness and the ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
Despite the Ravens not heavily utilizing their running backs in the passing game, Dobbins managed to catch a career-high of 18 passes during his rookie season under Roman’s guidance. The Los Angeles Chargers, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, have historically relied on running backs like Austin Ekeler in their passing offense. With Dobbins’ versatility and skills, there is potential for him to make a significant impact in this aspect of the game for the Chargers.
While Dobbins is undeniably one of the most explosive backs in the league, his career has been plagued by injuries. Over the past three seasons, he has missed a significant number of games due to various injuries, including a torn Achilles that sidelined him for the entirety of the last season. Despite his injury struggles, Dobbins has managed to maintain an impressive average of 5.8 yards per carry, the highest among running backs with over 200 carries since 2020. His ability to break off big runs, with 15.4% of his attempts resulting in gains of 10 or more yards, places him among the top running backs in the league in this category.
After setting a Ravens rookie record with 9 touchdowns, Dobbins was poised to take on the starting running back role in 2021 before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the preseason finale. In the following season, he faced challenges with his recovery and missed nine games. However, heading into the 2023 season opener, Dobbins declared himself fully healthy for the first time in three years. Unfortunately, his comeback was short-lived, as he sustained another injury, this time to his Achilles, during the Week 1 game against the Houston Texans. Despite these setbacks, Dobbins remains determined to overcome adversity and make a lasting impact on the field.
J.K. Dobbins’ decision to join the Los Angeles Chargers presents an opportunity for him to showcase his skills under familiar faces and in a new offensive scheme. While his injury history is a cause for concern, his explosive playing style and potential in the passing game make him a valuable addition to the Chargers’ roster. As Dobbins continues to work on his recovery and strengthen his performance, there is hope that he can overcome setbacks and contribute significantly to his new team.
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