Chargers RB JK Dobbins predicts he can be ‘one of the best in the league’

Want to know who may have the worst injury luck in the league? Try J.K. Dobbins, the newest Chargers running back who spent the previous four seasons in Baltimore.

The former Ohio State star has enjoyed one healthy season. That was his first, months after the Ravens selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Yet in 2021, Dobbins tore his ACL in the preseason. Hopefully, he’s not thinking about the injury as he starts Chargers camp. Then there was the arthroscopic surgery he needed at mid-season, 2022.

Last year? In his first game, Dobbins ruptured his Achilles. He had only eight carries before he was gone for the season. You probably heard more about that other Achilles (suffered by Aaron Rodgers) that happened opening weekend. But Dobbins’ injury was devastating, especially layered onto Dobbins’ other ailments.

No wonder the newest running back for the Chargers likes to talk about “volume” as in number of snaps he can play.

“I do think if I get the volume, I’ll be one of the best in the league,” Dobbins told reporters. “I’ve shown that.”

Then he asked about stats. “Y’all know how much yards I averaged per carry?” The Chargers certainly do. It’s probably why they risked signing him in free agency. Dobbins has averaged 5.8 yards per carry in his career. When you talk about volume, he averages a first down every other carry. And in just his rookie year, he ran for an average of 6 yards on every carry.

His rookie year, Dobbins totaled 134 carries. That’s volume. Since then, he’s had 100. Total. That’s no volume.

The running back joined Greg Roman, his former offensive coordinator, when he signed with the Chargers. Plus, the Chargers signed running back Gus Edwards, who had been Dobbins’ backup in Baltimore when Dobbins was healthy.

The Chargers also have rookie Kimani Vidal, their sixth round pick, on the roster. Plus, LA also has in the Isaiah Spiller, Elijah Dotson, and Jaret Patterson. New coach Jim Harbaugh loves to run the football, although it’s doubtful he’ll keep that many backs on the active roster.

Dobbins, when he’s healthy, is an enticing option. He said he’s fully healthy and claims he’s faster than before all the surgeries. The Chargers are paying Dobbins $1.61 million, so if he don’t look like his old self, they aren’t risking much money.

But there’s a big reward if Dobbins reverts back to his 2020 form or the ability he showed while at Ohio State.

“I feel like I’m in college out there right now,” Dobbins said. “And I do think that the storm is over. Now I’m on a new journey, a healthy journey this year. You guys will see — it’ll be special.”