ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins will be evaluated weekly due to a sprained MCL. The former Ohio State standout aggravated the injury during their Week 12 Monday Night Football game against his former team, the Baltimore Ravens.
While his condition doesn’t mean that Dobbins will be out for long, it’s a concerning update, considering his extensive injury history. Likewise, he seems to have turned the tide this season with his 766 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games. Those numbers put him 40 yards and two touchdowns away from breaking his career highs, established during his rookie season.
Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins sprained his MCL and is expected to be out Sunday vs. the Falcons and week to week moving forward, per source. pic.twitter.com/EtqwV0Put2
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 27, 2024
Before his first season with the Chargers, Dobbins has played only nine games in the previous three seasons. He sat out the entire 2021 season due to a torn ACL. A year later, he suffered another knee injury by Week 6, prompting the Ravens to place him on injured reserve. Last season, a torn Achilles tendon limited him to one game. Dobbins tallied 100 carries for 542 yards and three touchdowns in those seasons.
His presence helped the Chargers improve their rushing attack. In 2023, Los Angeles’ AFC team ranked 25th in rushing yards, averaging 96.6 per game. This year, they rank 14th through Week 12, generating 118.1 per game.
-Lance Fernandez