J.K.

Dobbins

Dobbins was stuffed early and often against a Houston front seven that has snuffed out opposing rushing attacks for most of the season. He was not targeted in the season-ending loss. The 2024 campaign was a career-revival season for Dobbins after suffering back-to-back season-ending injuries as a member of the Ravens. He quickly emerged in LA as the team’s lead back, gaining 905 yards and scoring nine touchdowns on the ground while catching 32 passes for 153 yards. Dobbins was efficient enough with a 4.6 yards per carry, though his breakaway long speed has definitely diminished from his early years in Baltimore. Dobbins showed enough in 2024 to draw interest in free agency this spring. Entering his age-27 season, Dobbins — an unrestricted free agent — has a chance to stick with longtime OC Greg Roman if he doesn’t get a shot to function as a lead back elsewhere.

Both skill position players came into the weekend listed as questionable but will ultimately suit up for the visiting Chargers, who look for an elusive road playoff win Saturday against the Texans. The Chargers will roll out a backfield consisting of Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Hassan Haskins, with notable free agent addition Ezekiel Elliott watching from the sidelines after joining the team five days ago. Johnston will likely be tasked with additional volume after setting career highs in receptions and yards in Week 18 in the absence of Joshua Palmer.

Dobbins, who’s still listed as questionable with ankle injury, practiced in a limited fashion all week. After handling 37 rushing attempts over the final two games of the regular season, the Chargers were just taking it easy on their lead back in practice this week. Expect the 26-year-old to suit up and see the majority of the backfield work against the Texans Saturday, barring a setback.

Dobbins was limited in practice throughout the week, but this may have been more of a precautionary measure as the team prepares for their first game of the postseason. Over the final two weeks of the regular season, Dobbins rushed 37 times for 139 yards and one touchdown. He should be able to handle the majority of the Chargers’ backfield touches come Saturday, barring any setback.

Seeing Dobbins graduate to full participation on Thursday would be reassuring but his continued limited participation at least confirms he has not suffered a setback. Fantasy managers should expect him to handle his usual high-volume workload for Wild Card Weekend.

This is likely just maintenance for the running back, but it is a new listing after Week 18’s win over the Raiders. Dobbins will likely be the lead back for the Chargers against the Texans in the Wild Card Round. He managed 18 of the 35 Chargers carries in Week 18 and only was eased up on once Hassan Haskins got run during the game’s final drive.

Dobbins dominated the touches until the final full drive when he gave way to backup Hassan Haskins. Dobbins ran twice on this drive while Haskins carried the rock eight times, the last of which put him in the end zone. Before this drive, Dobbins had a 16-4 lead over his backup. Third-stringer Kimani Vidal did not touch the ball. Early lines have the Chargers as favorites over the Texans on the road, teeing Dobbins up for a strong fantasy day to open the playoffs.

Dobbins returned to lead-back duties after a four-game absence due to a knee injury. He got 19 of 32 running back carries, scoring at the beginning of the fourth quarter and not returning to the game later with the Chargers leading big. It wasn’t Dobbins’ most efficient game with 4.0 yards per carry, but he got the job done in what has been a rejuvenating year back in a Greg Roman offense. Dobbins is a candidate for comeback player of the year and ranks as an RB2 for Week 18 against the Raiders.

Dobbins was activated off injured reserve after missing four games due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 12. He slots back in as the starter. Inactive for the Chargers are QB Easton Stick, RB Gus Edwards, LB Denzel Perryman, OL Jordan McFadden, OL Trey Pipkins III, TE Hayden Hurst, and DL Justin Eboigbe. Hurst (illness) is out, but Will Dissly is active, making Dissly a streamer tight end option this week. Edwards (ankle) has also been ruled out for this game, giving Dobbins primary ownership of the Chargers’ backfield in his return, with Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins handling backup duties.

Dobbins will be activated from injured reserve after being upgraded to a full participant on Thursday. The team listed him as questionable for Week 17, though that appears to have been mostly a formality. With Gus Edwards out this week, Dobbins should return to a sizable role. Facing a beatable New England run defense, Dobbins is back in the RB2 ranks to close the year.