Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins will miss the entire 2021 season after an MRI on Sunday confirmed a torn ACL in his left knee, according to multiple reports, with ESPN the first. Dobbins' agent Zac Hiller confirmed the news on Twitter, writing, "He’ll come back bigger stronger faster."
Dobbins, the projected starting running back, was injured in Saturday’s 37-3 preseason win against the Washington Football Team. He was tackled after catching a screen pass with 9:06 left in the first quarter, then grabbed his left knee.
Dobbins was carted back to the locker room after being evaluated on the sideline and did not return.
The 2020 second-round pick rushed for 805 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games last season. As a rookie last season, Dobbins led all running backs in yards per carry (6.0).
The win for the Ravens was an NFL-record 20th consecutive preseason victory.
(Photo: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
How damaging is this for the Ravens' offense?
Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens senior writer: There's no question that this is a significant setback, particularly when you consider all of the other issues and injuries the Ravens have dealt with on the offensive side of the ball over the past month.
The Ravens' offense completely changed after Dobbins became the lead back in the middle of the 2020 season. His ability to gain the perimeter and run away from defenders sets him apart from the Ravens' other backs. This year, he was expected to have a greater role in the passing game, too. Losing him leaves the Ravens without arguably their top playmaker beyond quarterback Lamar Jackson.
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How will they replace him?
Zrebiec: The Ravens aren't desperate. Gus Edwards, who has averaged 5.2 yards per carry over his first three NFL seasons, steps into the lead back role. Behind him will be Ty'Son Williams, who has had a dynamic preseason after spending last year on the Ravens' practice squad; and Justice Hill, a 2019 fourth-round pick who has gotten limited opportunities in his first two seasons.
The Ravens will likely monitor the cuts around the league and also check in with some of the street free agent running backs. Todd Gurley, a Baltimore native, visited the team facility in June, so there's a familiarity there. They'll probably bring in another back at some point soon, but they can afford to be a little choosy. There are myriad options.
How Dobbins' injury affects fantasy owners
Nando Di Fino, fantasy football managing editor: Well this Dobbins news is a kick in the stomach for plenty of drafters, who had made Dobbins a trendy breakout pick for 2021.
For now, it looks like Edwards will assume the lead back role, and he has a short but distinguished track record: In his nine career games with 15 or more carries, Edwards has eclipsed 100 rushing yards four times and failed to reach 80 rushing yards just twice. In the high stakes NFFC drafts since Dobbins was injured, Gus Edwards went as high as 38 (he went 42nd in another draft) and should be about a fifth-round pick now when the dust settles.
We'll likely hear rumors of Gurley or Le'Veon Bell coming in, but Hill is still there as a post-hype sleeper, and one needs to look no further than Atlanta to see a team that is perfectly content with a mostly unheralded group of RBs.
The message from Dobbins’ agent:
Been down this road before. He’ll come back bigger stronger faster https://t.co/T3KSdVZOxF
— Zac Hiller (@ZacHiller) August 29, 2021