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Kris Rhim, ESPN
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In J.K. Dobbins‘ first information convention as a Los Angeles Charger in April, he spoke frankly in regards to the unlucky approach his profession has unfolded.
Dobbins, a working again and second-round choose by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020, averaged 6 yards per carry as a rookie, rising as one of many league’s most promising working backs. However accidents derailed his profession.
Dobbins performed in simply 24 of 73 attainable video games by way of his first 4 seasons. He tore his left ACL, LCL, meniscus and hamstring in a preseason sport in 2021 towards the Washington Commanders, forcing him to overlook the rest of that season. Dobbins returned in 2022 however performed in 4 of the Ravens’ first six video games earlier than having arthroscopic surgical procedure. Dobbins returned in Week 14 and completed the season.
The Ravens let Dobbins, 25, stroll this offseason, as an alternative signing former All-Professional working again Derrick Henry. Dobbins signed with the Chargers for one 12 months and $1.61 million with simply $50,000 assured, a deal that mirrored how a lot Dobbins’ inventory had fallen across the league due to accidents.
Dobbins acknowledged that time in April, calling himself a “excessive threat, excessive reward” signing.
“You bought the injury-prone [label] on the market, however I believe the storm is over with, and I believe I will take off now,” Dobbins mentioned in April. “There will be no setbacks, and this injury-prone factor will likely be gone out the window.”
Thus far, Dobbins has caught to his phrase, exceeding expectations and breaking franchise speeding information by way of the Chargers’ first two video games. In Sunday’s 26-3 win over the Panthers, Dobbins completed with 131 yards, one landing, and a somersault in the long run zone.
JK DOBBINS RUNNING THROUGH EVERYBODY.
📺: #LACvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/IrANF2mYTR— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
He’s the primary participant in Chargers franchise historical past to run for 100 yards in every of the primary two video games of a season, and his 266 speeding yards by way of two video games are probably the most by any Chargers participant within the group’s first two video games of a season.
“I have been telling y’all offseason. Nobody believed me. Nobody believed me,” Dobbins mentioned. “After I’m wholesome, I may be probably the greatest.”
Dobbins averaged 7.7 yards per carry Sunday. His finest play of the day got here within the third quarter: Dobbins, with Gus Edwards in at fullback, bounced a run outdoors for 43 yards en path to the tip zone.
The second was particular for Edwards, who spent 4 seasons with Dobbins in Baltimore earlier than the 2 signed with the Chargers this offseason. Edwards, who completed with 18 carries for 59 yards, mentioned that the landing and Dobbins’ performances this season have been gratifying.
“I do know what he is been by way of, so I need to see him eat,” Edwards advised ESPN. “He is probably the greatest within the league, and he is displaying it proper now.”
When Jim Harbaugh took the Chargers’ head-coaching job in January, he and his employees described eager to dominate groups by working the soccer, one thing L.A. had lacked because the days of LaDainian Tomlinson. That working philosophy is why the group chosen offensive deal with Joe Alt with the fifth choose and signed Dobbins and Edwards in free company.
Dobbins has been the right working again for this offense by way of two weeks, substantiating the imaginative and prescient Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman had after they took the job.
Dobbins’ position has eliminated the offensive burden from quarterback Justin Herbert, who, forward of the season, averaged 39.1 passing makes an attempt per sport, the best common in NFL historical past. Herbert has tried simply 46 passes by way of two weeks, throwing for fewer than 200 yards in each video games. It is the primary time Herbert has thrown fewer than 30 passes in consecutive video games.
“We’re not stunned by the success,” Herbert mentioned. “We knew how particular [Dobbins] was.”
Normal supervisor Joe Hortiz and assistant GM Chad Alexander chatted with Dobbins within the locker room postgame, the place Hortiz advised Dobbins, “No extra flips.” Harbaugh was much less involved in regards to the damage threat, nonetheless, and extra impressed, or impressed even, with Dobbins’ celebration.
“That is one thing I’ve by no means been in a position to do,” Harbaugh mentioned. “I do know folks can do it somewhat simply. One thing I at all times tried to do. I imply, I’ve tried to flip off a diving board into the water. I’ve tried to do it off of a trampoline.”
He continued: “I imply, solely tried it as soon as off of simply the bottom like he did it, and just about each time, for some cause, I finished midturn. So yeah, simply cool. I at all times admire folks that would do this. It is one thing I am lacking, not getting that final a part of it.”
