The Los Angeles Chargers placed running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) and safety Alohi Gilman (hamstring) on injured reserve Saturday ahead of their Week 13 game at the Atlanta Falcons.
Dobbins and Gilman, two starters, were both injured in Monday night’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Dobbins was tackled awkwardly with about five minutes remaining in the second quarter. He did not return.
Dobbins was having a resurgent 2024, making a case for NFL Comeback Player of the Year after missing most of the past three seasons with two significant lower-extremity injuries. Dobbins leads the Chargers in rushing yards (766) and touchdowns (eight). He had emerged very clearly as the Chargers’ best back. Now Jim Harbaugh will have to move further down the depth chart at running back.
Gus Edwards is next in line. But this could be a big opportunity for rookie Kimani Vidal, who has only been active for four games this season. Vidal got his debut regular season NFL action in Week 6 when he caught a touchdown pass on his first career touch. Edwards is a physical back. Vidal could provide an ideal change of pace with Dobbins out.
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Gilman suffered his hamstring injury in the second half while trying to make a tackle on Baltimore running back Justice Hill. Gilman missed the tackle, and Hill scored a 51-yard touchdown that put the game away.
Gilman’s absence will have a substantial impact on the defense. With Gilman and Elijah Molden at safety, the Chargers and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could move Derwin James Jr. around frequently, most notably to the nickel position. Now James will be forced to play more at safety.
The Chargers lost their fourth safety, AJ Finley, earlier this week when they waived him and he was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks. They claimed Marcus Maye off waivers from the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday. The Chargers also signed veteran safety Tony Jefferson to the active roster as part of Saturday’s moves. They are thin at this position heading into an important game in Atlanta.
(Photo of J.K. Dobbins: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
