Losing to older sibling John Harbaugh and facing the end of a four-game winning streak on Monday night might be the least concerning issue for Jim Harbaugh this week. The Chargers are anxiously awaiting updates on running back J.K. Dobbins, who exited the field with a knee injury late in the first half during the team’s 30-23 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens.
Harbaugh has a reputation for avoiding discussions about injuries, often responding to questions regarding a player’s condition with “I’m not a doctor,” so he will undoubtedly face numerous inquiries about Dobbins’ situation in the coming days. After a series of injuries hindered his four-year tenure with the Ravens, the 2020 second-round draft pick decided to take a chance on himself by signing a one-year contract with the Chargers.
Initially, the gamble seemed to be paying off over the first 10 and a half games. At the time of his injury, Dobbins had carried the ball six times for 40 yards. However, his momentum was halted when he was violently tackled from behind by linebacker Malik Harrison on a critical third-and-1 play.
As of now, Dobbins ranks fourth in the AFC in rushing, amassing 766 yards with an average of 4.8 yards per carry—making him one of the top performers among AFC runners with over 100 carries. Following a torn Achilles tendon last season, he has emerged as a strong contender for the AP Comeback Player of the Year award.
His contributions significantly enhanced the offensive dynamics for Los Angeles, which had 68 rushing yards on 14 attempts before his injury, but managed only 15 rushing yards on seven carries subsequently. Trailing 14-13 at halftime without Dobbins, the Chargers leaned heavily on Justin Herbert’s passing abilities. Unfortunately, Herbert completed just 11 of 22 passes for 125 yards after Dobbins’ exit and was sacked three times before finally getting back into scoring position with a late Gus Edwards touchdown run.
In the event that Dobbins misses future games, Edwards is poised to step up as the primary ball carrier. Edwards himself has dealt with challenges this season, missing four consecutive games due to an ankle injury but returning with a total of 25 carries for 93 yards across three games.
Hassan Haskins and rookie Kimani Vidal are expected to provide additional depth in the backfield. “I’m really hoping J.K. is alright. Gus has been a fantastic addition this season, consistently finding ways to gain yards,” Herbert remarked after the game. “We just need to keep pushing forward. Our offensive line has done an excellent job all year; today didn’t go as we planned, but we’ll continue to press on.”
Dobbins’ injury comes at a critical juncture for the Chargers, who hold a 7-4 record and sit in sixth place in the AFC. They face a challenging schedule ahead, with games against playoff contenders Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Denver looming.
On a positive note, Herbert has displayed impressive mobility, with at least four scrambles of 12 yards or more in the last five games, including his second rushing touchdown of the season on the opening drive.
Nonetheless, the team needs to address giving up big-play touchdowns; allowing Rashod Bateman’s 40-yard touchdown in the second quarter marked the third consecutive game in which the Chargers allowed a passing touchdown of at least 40 yards—a stark contrast to only two such touchdowns permitted in the first nine games.
In terms of individual performances, linebacker Joey Bosa rebounded with four tackles, his best showing since Week 1, after dealing with a hip injury that sidelined him for three previous games. Unfortunately, wide receiver Quentin Johnston had a dismal outing, the second Chargers player since 2009 to be targeted five times yet finish without a catch. He also had two crucial drops.
Injuries continued to plague the Chargers, as cornerback Eli Apple suffered a hamstring issue that kept him from returning to the game, and cornerback Cam Hart was inactive due to an ankle injury, seen wearing a walking boot. Linebacker Denzel Perryman and tight end Hayden Hurst were also sidelined with injuries.
Noteworthy statistics reveal that the Chargers have allowed 57 points in their last two games, a huge increase from the 68 they ceded in their first five games after the bye week. Quarterback Justin Herbert also made history by reaching 1,800 completions in just 73 games, joining Patrick Mahomes as the quickest to do so in NFL history. Linebacker Daiyan Henley continued to impress, achieving double-digit tackles for the sixth time this season.
Looking ahead, the Chargers are set to visit Atlanta on Sunday. They triumphed in their previous matchup against the Falcons last season, netting a win with a decisive field goal. Currently, Los Angeles boasts a 2-0 record against NFC South teams this year and has won their last four encounters within the division.