The Los Angeles Chargers announced Friday that running back J.K. Dobbins has been activated from injured reserve after missing the last four games due to a knee injury. Dobbins, officially listed as questionable, is set to play against the New England Patriots on Saturday.
The Chargers’ leading rusher was placed on IR on Nov. 30 after exiting the Week 12 loss to his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, in the second quarter following an awkward tackle. Gus Edwards and Kimani Vidal have been the primary beneficiaries in Dobbins’ absence, though his 766 yards and eight rushing touchdowns still pace all Chargers backs by a wide margin.
Los Angeles (9-6) went 2-2 without Dobbins in the backfield and finish out the regular season with two road games against the Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders. In addition to Dobbins, the team also elevated safeties Eddie Jackson and Kendall Williamson from the practice squad for Saturday’s tilt at Gillette Stadium.
What Dobbins’ return means for Chargers
Dobbins missed the minimum four games before being activated Friday, four days after the Chargers designated him to return to practice. He was listed as limited in Tuesday’s practice and was estimated as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. The Chargers did not practice that day because of Christmas. Dobbins was then a full participant Thursday before the Chargers departed for New England.
Dobbins was having a resurgent season before the injury. He battled multiple lower-extremity injuries from 2021-23. He missed all of 2021 with knee injury that included a torn ACL and damage to his LCL, meniscus and hamstring. He was limited to eight regular season games in 2022 after undergoing a clean-up procedure on the injured knee. And in Week 1 of 2023, he sustained a season-ending ruptured Achilles. The Chargers took a flier on Dobbins in the offseason by signing him to a cheap one-year deal.
First-year general manager Joe Hortiz was familiar with Dobbins after coming to the Chargers from the Ravens. He repaid Hortiz and the Chargers with 900 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns through the first 11 games of the season. Even after missing the past four games, Dobbins still leads the Chargers in rushing yards with 766. Only receiver Ladd McConkey has more scrimmage yards with 960, and Dobbins is tied with receiver Quentin Johnston for the team lead with eight scrimmage touchdowns.
Dobbins’ return comes at an important time. Edwards is dealing with an ankle injury he suffered against the Broncos in Week 16 and has been ruled out for Saturday’s game at the Patriots. Edwards aggravated the injury in practice this week, according to coach Jim Harbaugh. He also missed four games earlier this year with an ankle injury.
With Edwards out, there will be an opportunity for Dobbins to take on a significant role this week. We will see if he is fully in game shape after missing the past month. The Patriots rank 24th in EPA per designed rush on defense, according to TruMedia. — Daniel Popper, Chargers beat writer
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