Coming into the 2024 NFL season, we knew a few things about the Los Angeles Chargers. We knew that Jim Harbaugh would have a stout offensive line, we knew that the team would use a run-heavy approach on offense and we knew that Justin Herbert would not be asked to be Superman.
All of that was true in the team's Week 1 opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, a 22-10 win over their division rival. While the game wasn't a masterpiece, Harbaugh will gladly take the victory.
There will be plenty of folks within the media who point to the team's lack of offensive weapons. Herbert completed only 17 passes in this game. But one of the team's offensive players deserves the game ball for this win and that is running back J.K. Dobbins.
The talent of Dobbins has never been in doubt, but his health kept him off the field and ran him out of Baltimore. Signed as a free agent this offseason, he could turn into the spark that makes this Chargers offense go.
Gus Edwards had more carries (11) but rushed for just 26 yards in this game. Dobbins carried the ball 10 times and picked up 135 yards on the ground while finding the end zone once. The most impressive number was his 13.5 yards per carry. So imagine what would happen if he starts to get the ball more.
J.K. Dobbins could be in for a huge year with Chargers
Dobbins has not had minor injuries. He's had the kind of injuries that have shut him down for extended periods of time. But with a new change of scenery in L.A., if he can stay healthy, he could prove to be one of the best free-agent signings this season.
The Chargers will have to monitor the amount of touches given to their running backs, but they have to be happy with this start to the season.
It was Dobbins' first 100-yard rushing performance since he had 125 yards against the Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2022.
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