The Ravens expect J.K. Dobbins to be an impact player this season.
However, it’s still a bit uncertain about the timeline.
Dobbins has worked hard to get back on the field after suffering a devastating knee injury last season. However, he might not be ready for the regular-season opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 11.
Nonetheless, Harbaugh has been pleased with his progress.
“It’s part of it, but J.K. has looked better every day,” coach John Harbaugh said. “You guys, again, you saw him earlier in practice. He looks better every day; he looks good. His quickness is kind of back. So, I’m excited about where he’s at, but the other part of it is also good players are available.
“When good players are available – and we’ve been known to run the ball a little bit – so you get a running back out there that we feel like fits what we do, a talented guy that wants to be here, and we felt like it was a good move for us.”
J.K. Dobbins was not having it 😳 pic.twitter.com/t5GdmzyNbc
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 1, 2022
Dobbins had a season-ending knee injury against Washington in the third preseason game last year. This disappointment was obvious as he hung his head while being carted off the field. Harbaugh also second-guessed himself for playing him in that meaningless game.
However, the hope is that Dobbins will be able to get back in the same form that he had as a rookie.
In 2020, Dobbins had a solid training camp and worked his way up the depth chart to be the starter. He led the Ravens’ running backs with 805 yards on 134 carries with nine touchdowns.
Dobbins also recorded a rushing score in seven consecutive games, including the wild-card playoff game against Tennessee, which tied for the second-longest streak by a rookie in NFL history.
The Ravens are likely willing to wait for a game or even two to evaluate Dobbins in a game setting. They want to make sure Dobbins is fully healthy for the latter part of the season and possible playoff run.
The Ravens have Justice Hill, Mike Davis, and newly signed Kenyan Drake at running back on the 53-man roster. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is a threat to run the ball and has run for over 1,000 yards twice in his career.
Harbaugh has been pleased with the addition of Drake, who was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft from Alabama by the Miami Dolphins.
“heart just turned purple” pic.twitter.com/ftp0KH8dgw
— Kenyan Drake™ (@KDx32) September 1, 2022
Drake was later traded to the Cardinals in October 2019 and managed a career-high 1,162 yards rushing that season.
In 2020, he ran for 1,092 yards from scrimmage in 15 appearances for Arizona. He signed with the Raiders in 2021 where he only started in two of his 12 appearances. Drake had 545 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Drake is adept at catching the ball out of the backfield and looks for him to make the most of the opportunity if Dobbins is out.
“Kenyan Drake … he’s a back who has had a lot of exciting plays in this league,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a big, strong, fast, kind of slasher-type back [with] experience in pass protection. [He] catches the ball well out of the backfield.
“[He’s] a great guy, in talking to him. So, he’ll be taking more of the next four days to get up to speed and get ready to go.”
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