EL SEGUNDO, California — J.K. Dobbins, the running back for the Los Angeles Chargers, is aware that receiving accolades midway through the season may not carry significant weight. Yet, being in the conversation for the Comeback Player of the Year title adds extra motivation as the season progresses.
Heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Dobbins stands third in the AFC with 620 rushing yards, maintaining an impressive average of 4.92 yards per carry. “My goal is to maintain my performance and improve further, and perhaps I’ll earn that award,” Dobbins shared after practice on Wednesday. “It would really mean a lot to me after everything I’ve faced in my career. It’d be remarkable, but there’s still plenty of season left.”
Drafted in the second round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020, Dobbins has endured serious injuries in two of the last three seasons. His Achilles was torn during last year’s season opener, following a knee issue that sidelined him in the 2021 preseason. Moreover, he missed six weeks in 2022 after undergoing surgery to remove scar tissue related to his knee injury.
This offseason, Dobbins signed a one-year deal with the Chargers, reuniting with Greg Roman, the offensive coordinator who worked with him during his early years in Baltimore. The Chargers’ commitment to the running game, even during challenging times, has introduced a new sense of balance to the offense, which had leaned heavily toward passing in the previous three seasons.
In the past, the Chargers ranked second in the league for their rate of passing plays; however, they have switched gears this season, calling for runs 46% of the time, the eighth-highest figure in the league at this point in the season. “It may not always be pretty on paper, but it serves a larger purpose,” Roman explained. “I see it as a game of chess; you’re strategically positioning yourself for future moves. Sometimes, you must quickly shift your approach during the game.”
Dobbins had a standout performance with 85 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers’ 27-10 victory over Cleveland last Sunday. In the first half of the season, he has recorded at least 85 rushing yards in four games, a feat not accomplished by a Chargers running back since LaDainian Tomlinson back in 2003.
Among the 19 NFL running backs with a minimum of 100 carries, Dobbins displays the second-highest rate of carries resulting in zero or negative yards at 23.3%. Nevertheless, he stands out as one of four backs who have achieved rushes of 12 yards or more on over 10% of their attempts (10.3%). “This reflects the character of our team. In the NFL, it’s impossible to generate a big play every time. We need to remain committed to our strategy, which is exactly what we’re doing,” he noted. “You might see one-yard gashes here and there, but eventually, those become significant gains, like 20 or 40 yards.”
His productive outings, coupled with a revitalized passing game featuring a healthy Justin Herbert, have contributed to a more dynamic Chargers offense following their bye week, where they have won three out of their last four games.
Herbert has consistently thrown for at least 279 yards in the last three outings—something fans have come to expect since his selection as the sixth overall pick in the 2020 draft. The effectiveness of the run game has also alleviated some pressure from Herbert. “When we throw more, we draw more Cover 2 and shell defenses, which benefits our running game. Being able to run while we pass keeps the defenses in check,” Herbert explained. “When we can execute both aspects effectively, we play our best football. J.K. is an exceptional back, and when you give him the ball—especially against two-high coverage looks—he can achieve something extraordinary.”
The Chargers will be pitted against a Titans defense that permits a league-low of 269.1 yards per game. Tennessee ranks 11th against the rush at 113.4 yards per game, only allowing one 100-yard rusher this season, with Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs achieving 127 yards two weeks ago.
“They construct their team around the running game, and J.K. is a fantastic back. He’s starting to look like his old self pre-injury, and I have a lot of respect for him,” said Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. “We’ve had conversations in the offseason and previously when he was in Baltimore. Observing him back in action, running the way he does, is essential for countering their offensive strategy.”
In other news, wide receiver Simi Fehoko (elbow) and linebacker Junior Colson (ankle) have been placed on injured reserve, though Coach Jim Harbaugh remains hopeful for their returns by season’s end. Wide receiver Jalen Reagor has been signed from the practice squad, while running back Gus Edwards has resumed practicing, starting his 21-day window for returning from injured reserve after sitting out the last four games due to an ankle injury. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder) is also eligible to return, although no specific timeline has been established.