J.K. Dobbins

The 29 year old free agent signing from Baltimore was expected to take the reigns to start the season but after an undisclosed injury the job may be up for grabs. Edwards was seen working on the side with trainers during minicamp and was also not present for OTA’s leaving questions about his injury status.

Unfortunately, the only update from head coach Jim Harbaugh was that Edwards is “on a really good track” to be ready for training camp. The nature of the injury right now is unknown leaving it tough to project what to expect from Edwards moving forward. With fellow free agent signing J.K. Dobbins recovering from a 2023 week one achilles tear, the door may be open for sixth round rookie Kimani Vidal to snag the starting job.

Edwards and Dobbins both came to the Chargers from the Ravens and they both have experience with offensive coordinator Greg Roman. This probably helps both their causes a little as far as missing time goes but this will still be a situation to monitor in training camp. It’s very possible the Chargers open camp with Vidal as the only back able to take full participation giving him the leg up on his competition.

Current free agent running back J.K. Dobbins is coming off an Achillies injury that sidelined him all of last season.  He has now been cleared to perform football activities, by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.  Dr. ElAttrache wrote a letter to teams giving him clearance, as well as, saying Dobbins is looking outstanding.

Dobbins drafted 55th overall in 2020 by the Baltimore Ravens has been sidelined most his career due to injuries.  In 2020 appeared in 15 games, which is the most he’s played in a single season.  2021 Dobbins tore his ACL during preseason, he missed the whole year.  Following missing his entire season and half of his 2022 season, he played in 8 games averaging 5.7 yards a carry.  After his promising finish to the 2022 season, J.K. Dobbins played in week 1 and tore his Achillies, once again sidelining him for the season.  5 and half months later his has been medically cleared for football activities.

Dobbins is now a free agent and will look to join a roster most likely a one-year prove it deal in hopes to restart his pro career.

Sunday afternoon as the 2023 NFL season kicked off JK Dobbins and the Baltimore Ravens got set to take on the Houston Texans in what was shaping up to be a solid outing for the Baltimore RB. Dobbins got off to a good start posting 11.7 PPR points with 10 minutes left in the 3rd Quarter and in position to possibly score his second TD of the game. Unfortunately for Dobbins and the Ravens he would get tackled inside the 5 yard line and get up gingerly signaling he needed medical attention. We would later find out Dobbins day was done, a torn achilles was confirmed by Head Coach John Harbaugh and his season would end before it really got going.

Following the Dobbins injury RB Justice Hill came in to score a rushing TD from 2 yards out, while RB Augustus Edwards punched in the 2pt conversion. Hill was the only RB to earn a touch (1 rush for no gain) in the first half of the game while Dobbins was still healthy, but he ended the game with the same amount of touches (8) as veteran Baltimore RB Augustus (Gus Bus) Edwards. All the touches that Hill and Edwards received were on the ground and there was little success for either RB especially Hill as he ended his day with 8 touches for 9 yards and 1 TD, while Gus Edwards managed 32 yards on 8 touches and a 2pt conversion.

The Baltimore Ravens are now planning to activate veteran 30 year old RB Melvin Gordon from their practice squad per @JosinaAnderson. The Ravens can be expected to use a RB by committee approach moving forward with Star QB Lamar Jackson being the head of said committee. Baltimore RBs as a group will have value, but no single individual should be trusted until one of Justice Hill, Augustus Edwards, Melvin Gordon, and dark horse Keaton Mitchell (currently on IR for a shoulder) prove themselves and take the reigns in this backfield. The injury to Dobbins also opens up the door of desperation for a Baltimore team built to compete for a championship to be more aggressive in trade talks for disgruntled Indianapolis Colts RB Johnathan Taylor.

How the mighty have fallen. After being waived last season by the Denver Broncos, Melvin Gordon signed with the Ravens to see if he could find a spark to get his career back on track. Unfortunately, after providing just 59 yards on 17 carries during the pre-season, the Ravens have decided to part ways with the former pro-bowler.

Now that the 53-man roster is set, the Ravens will be rolling with J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and talented undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell at running back. Dobbins will be the RB1 heading into the season with Edwards and Hill being mixed into the offense.

As for Mitchell, Gordon’s release signals to fantasy managers that Keaton is a name to remember in deeper dynasty leagues. Over his last two seasons at East Carolina, Mitchell has carried the ball 375 times for 2,584 yards and 23 touchdowns. He’s also illustrated that he can be a weapon out of the backfield by posting 49 receptions for 505 yards and two touchdowns. The three running backs ahead of Mitchell have not been the greatest pillars of good health, especially Dobbins and Edwards. This could lead to more opportunities in the offense sooner rather than later. If you have the space in your deep dynasty leagues Mitchell is a player you should consider stashing.

The Baltimore Ravens placed J.K. Dobbins on the Physically Unable to Perform list citing the knee injury that knocked Dobbins out of the 2021 season and parts of 2022. In reality, everyone knows J.K. Dobbins is not practicing because he is unhappy with his current contract. The Ravens do not view Dobbins’ “injury” as a distraction as Harbaugh is in regular communication with his running back.

In the short term, Gus Edwards, Melvin Gordon, and Justice Hill will split time with the First Team O while UDFA Keaton Mitchell tries to make the roster. In the long term, J.K. Dobbins has no leverage and the Ravens will not extend him early, meaning Dobbins will report to camp before Week 1 and will play all 17 games in hopes of securing a bag. Expect Dobbins to see 60%+ of the touches in a true bell cow capacity in a wide-open, spread offense under Todd Monken.