Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) was forced out of his Week 12 game against the Baltimore Ravens due to an injury. He's been one of the big surprises of the 2024 season -- not just because he's been playing well, but because he seemed to have put his history of brutal injuries behind him.
He's averaged just under 4.9 yards per carry despite handling 158 rushes through 11 games, which is a hefty amount. He also has rushed for eight touchdowns and caught 28 passes for 134 receiving yards, so he's been a valuable fantasy asset this year. He's also just a good RB overall.
So when is he coming back now?
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J.K. Dobbins Injury Update for Fantasy Football
Dobbins suffered a knee injury and wasn't able to return on Monday Night Football. He attempted to work with a knee brace, but ultimately never took the field again, and was ruled out. It's not known yet how serious his ailment is, but at least he wasn't placed on injured reserve. It may be a minor issue.
JK Dobbins cont -
I was so focused on the run, I didn’t notice the tackle at the end.
Defender falls onto his distal leg with JK’s knee pinned against the other defender’s thigh, creating valgus stress+hyperextension.
Likely mild MCL sprain.
Return w/ knee brace makes sense. https://t.co/bjyBLyvJWw pic.twitter.com/pdDculhs8N— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) November 26, 2024
As he was being tackled to the ground on one of his plays, a Ravens defender fell on his left leg and appeared to hyperextend his knee inwards. This could have caused any number of issues, but it's not clear yet what he's suffering from. Unfortunately, the Chargers organization hasn't updated the public on the full nature of his ailment.
The longer we go without a JK Dobbins injury update, the less optimistic I become
He was running on it after the injury trying to convince the training staff to put him back in but they clearly kept him out for a reason
Not expecting anything season ending but he could miss…
— Sebastian Fearon DPT, CSCS, OCS (@TheDegenDoc) November 27, 2024
There's no indication yet that this is a season-ending injury, though. Based on the video, it seems like it isn't.
J.K. Dobbins Fantasy Football Outlook
Dobbins has a long and highly concerning injury history. He's played fantastically this season in spite of it, but it's worth questioning if he's just naturally injury-prone. Some athletes simply have an unfortunate affinity for multiple season-ending injuries. No. 27 could be one of them.
He broke his leg in high school. Then he suffered a severe ankle sprain in college. Then he exploded his knee by tearing his ACL, LCL, meniscus, and tearing his hamstring off the bone in 2021. In 2022, he hurt the same knee again and required arthroscopic surgery. Then, he tore his Achilles' tendon in Week 1 of 2024.
• Broken Fibula.
• Torn ACL.
• Torn LCL.
• Torn Meniscus.
• Torn Hamstring.
• Torn Achilles.JK Dobbins never gave up.
He should be the NFL Comeback POY.— Sam Block (@theblockspot) November 18, 2024
You have to praise his heart. And you probably have to start him when he plays. He's still just 25 years old, and in his athletic prime. And he's an excellent RB.
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