J.K. Dobbins’ professional career hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows.
In 2021, Dobbins tore his ACL in the preseason. In 2022, he played just eight games due to knee injuries. Last season, Dobbins suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1.
Dobbins left the Ravens and joined the Chargers for a fresh start and to dispel the injury concerns. And in his debut in the powder blues, the 25-year-old running back looked like he returned to form.
Dobbins rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown on ten carries.
“Thank you to my O-line, they blocked really well for me,” Dobbins said, per the team’s official website. “Thank you to all my teammates for blocking for me and thank you to the defense for having our backs in the first half.”
Dobbins’ first big run went for 46 yards early in the third quarter. Bradley Bozeman and Rashawn Slater sealed their blocks. Zion Johnson got to the second level and took away the linebacker. Dobbins broke a tackle along the way before being tackled.
A couple of offensive possessions later, Dobbins found the end zone from 12 yards out for the Chargers’ first touchdown of the season.
“[Divine] Deablo hit my leg as I came through the whole and we always preach keep your legs up,” Dobbins said about his touchdown run. “That’s what I did, went back to my training and it was a touchdown.”
Later in the fourth quarter, Dobbins broke loose for a 61-yard gain. He found a hole between Slater and Johnson. It was all open grass before being brought down. A few plays later, the Chargers scored the game-sealing touchdown.
Despite the strong performance, Dobbins knows that it’s just one game and has to keep working to build off it.
“It felt good, it felt really good. But now, I’m going to get ready for next week,” Dobbins said. “I’m the type of guy that cool had a good game, go back to the drawing board and let’s get better.”
“Like I keep saying, I got to get in shape. I got to finish those runs like I used to, and I will. I’m going to make sure I fix it so I can do what I’m capable of doing,” he added.