Chargers RB to play in Week 17

On December 28, 2024By Littum

The Los Angeles Chargers will get one of their big playmakers back in Week 17.

Los Angeles announced Friday afternoon that it activated the running back JK Dobbins out of damaged reserve. He is set to play in Chargers‘ Saturday afternoon game against New England Patriots.

Dobbins had missed the Chargers’ last four games after suffering a sprained knee in his team’s Week 12 matchup with Baltimore Ravens. Now, with Los Angeles needing one win to clinch a playoff spot, the team’s leading touchdown scorer will return with a chance to push the Chargers into the postseason.

Dobbins’ return comes at a perfect time for the AFC wild-card contenders, who announced Thursday they have ruled out running back Gus Edwards for Saturday’s game.

What happened to JK Dobbins?

Dobbins suffered an MCL sprain in the first half of the Chargers’ Week 12 game against the Ravens. He did not return for the second half, and Los Angeles eventually placed the running back on injured reserve ahead of one Week 13 clash with the Atlanta Falcons.

As a result, Dobbins would have to miss at least four games.

JK Dobbin’s injury updates

On Friday afternoon, the Chargers designated the 26-year-old running back to return from IR.

The team also announced that Dobbins will be ready to play in the team’s Week 17 game against the Patriots on Saturday. How much Los Angeles will lean on its leading touchdown scorer remains to be seen.

Notably, the Ohio State product was a limited participant in Los Angeles’ practices on Tuesday and Wednesday, but he was listed as a full participant on Thursday, the team’s final practice of the week. The Chargers initially listed him as “questionable” before Friday’s announcement that he would return from IR.

How long is JK Dobbins out?

With Dobbins ready to go for Saturday’s game, that means the running back will have missed just four games — the minimum number required for players placed on IR.

The Chargers went 2-2 in their four games without their leading rusher. They averaged 74.8 rushing yards per game. game in that span and surpassed 100 rushing yards just once.

This story has been updated with new information.