The year is 2024, and through three weeks of the NFL season, JK Dobbins leads the league in rushing.
At 25, Dobbins is still a young back, but it isn't his age that makes his standing as one of the NFL's top rushers a surprise. After a solid rookie season with the Ravens in 2020, Dobbins missed 43 out of a possible 51 games due to devastating injuries suffered in 2021 and 2023, causing many to wonder whether he could bounce back.
One year after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Baltimore's season opener, Dobbins has rushed for 310 yards over three games and scored two touchdowns with the Chargers. Here's a closer look at his journey.
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JK Dobbins recovery timeline: How Chargers RB came back from torn ACL, Achilles injuries
Aug. 28, 2021: Dobbins suffers a torn ACL, LCL, meniscus, and hamstring in Baltimore's preseason finale against Washington.
Dobbins underwent surgery to repair the ligaments and was placed on the IR, ending his second NFL season before it began.
Sept. 25, 2022: After missing the entirety of the 2022 preseason and the first two weeks of the 2022 regular season, Dobbins returns to the field in Week 3, carrying the ball seven times for 23 yards in a win over the Patriots.
Oct. 16, 2022: Dobbins is held out of the second half of a Week 6 loss to the Giants after his knee "tightens up" in the first half.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh hypothesizes that the discomfort was related to the playing surface at MetLife Stadium and held a positive outlook moving forward.
Oct. 21, 2022: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Dobbins will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery that will sideline him for 4-to-6 weeks.
The surgery is said to remove scar tissue from a previous surgery.
Nov. 3, 2022: Harbaugh announces that Dobbins' surgery was a "smashing success," adding that surgeons were surprised at the amount of scar tissue in Dobbins' knee.
Nov. 28, 2022: Dobbins returns to practice, opening his 21-day window from injured reserve.
Dec. 11, 2022: Dobbins returns to the field in Week 15, carrying the ball 15 times for 120 yards and a touchdown in a narrow win over the Steelers. He would go on to play in four of Baltimore's five final regular season games with all starters resting in Week 18.
Jan. 15, 2023: In a playoff loss to the Bengals, Dobbins has 13 rushes for 62 yards and four receptions for an additional 43 yards and a touchdown.
Sept. 10, 2023: Early in Baltimore's season-opening win over Houston, Dobbins suffers a torn Achilles tendon while attempting to score his second touchdown of the day.
He would undergo season-ending surgery later in the week.
Further complicating matters was Dobbins' status as an impending free agent.
Feb. 29, 2024: Less than six months post-surgery, Dobbins shares that he is now running in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), a significant step in his rehab process.
5 1/2 months out 👀 #LaVuelta pic.twitter.com/2mr3Ku3K8S
— Jk dobbins (@Jkdobbins22) February 29, 2024
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March 12, 2024: Ravens agree to terms with free agent RB Derrick Henry, signaling the likely end of Dobbins' time in Baltimore.
March 26, 2024: Dobbins' surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, reportedly sends a memo to NFL teams that Dobbins looks "outstanding" and will be ready to take the field for Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.
April 18, 2024: Dobbins inks a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
July 25, 2024: Dobbins is a full participant as Chargers' training camp gets underway in California.
Dobbins calls his shot in an interview with ESPN, saying "I do think if I get the volume, I'll be one of the best (RBs) in the league. I've shown that."
Sept. 8, 2024: In the season opener, Dobbins logs 10 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Raiders. His burst and shiftiness appeared to be back, crucial developments given his devastating rash of injuries.
With Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh looking to establish an identity as a team that runs the ball, it becomes clear Dobbins will be a key member of the team.
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JK Dobbins 2024 stats
| Stat | Total |
| Rush attempts | 42 |
| Yards | 310 |
| Yards/attempt | 7.4 |
| Rushing TDs | 2 |
| Receptions | 7 |
| Receiving yards | 14 |
| Yards/reception | 2.0 |
