One of the best storylines of the 2024 season, which has only just begun, is the return of Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins.
He is the league’s rushing leader with 266 yards on just 27 carries, an average of 9.9 yards per attempt.
This isn’t a new development. As a rookie with the Ravens in 2020, he averaged six yards per carry and gained 805 yards on 134 attempts. But if not for recent injuries, including a torn Achilles suffered in Week 1 of the 2023 season, Dobbins would likely be considered one of the best running backs in football. He’s currently on his way to earning that honor.
The biggest test so far will be Sunday against the Steelers, but Dobbins has risen to the challenge three times before.
In 2020, he had 113 yards on just 15 carries against the Steelers. In 2022, in his first game back after missing six games, he went to Pittsburgh and had 120 yards on 15 carries. Three weeks later, he had 93 yards on 17 carries against the Steelers.
That translates to 326 yards on 47 rushes in three games against the Steelers, a 6.93 average.
It’s no surprise the Ravens wanted him back after his injury last year, but they ended up choosing between the Harbaugh brothers.
“Baltimore wanted me to come back, but I just prayed,” Dobbins told PFT by phone after Sunday’s win over the Panthers. “There were times when I thought, ‘Hey, maybe I should just come back to Baltimore, my hometown,’ but instead, God told me this is the place for me. I got to play with Coach Jim.”
In what ways are John and Jim similar?
“They’re very similar, but Coach Jim is different,” Dobbins said. “He’s unique. He’s unique and I love his personality.”
Coach Jim has certainly liked Dobbins’ performance so far, and with quarterback Justin Herbert limping off with a high ankle sprain, he could be the key to getting to 3-0 with one of their best games of Week 3.
Despite all of this, Dobbins is making just $1.61 million this year, and if he continues to perform like this, he’ll be a huge favorite in March and may finally get the contract he’s been missing because of injuries.