Chargers working again J.Okay. Dobbins has been one of many greatest surprises two weeks into the 2024 season. The previous second-round decide leads the NFL in rushing yards (266).
It is a exceptional feat given the truth that he wasn’t certain he’d even be given an opportunity to play this 12 months after an injury-riddled begin to his skilled profession.
“The physique, you are going to construct that again, however the thoughts side of it, man, you positively gotta faucet into one other space,” Dobbins said on “The Jim Rome Present.” “You realize there’s some days, some darkish days, some days the place you are like, ‘Man, am I gonna get again?'”
Dobbins, chosen by the Ravens in 2020, had performed in simply 9 video games over the previous three seasons.
He tore his ACL forward of the 2021 season, which compelled him to overlook your complete season. In 2022, Dobbins performed in solely eight video games as a result of a separate knee challenge, after which final 12 months he tore his Achilles in Week 1.
So it got here as no shock when Baltimore opted to half methods with him this offseason.
Los Angeles finally gave him one other probability within the NFL, however he wasn’t at all times certain he’d be given that chance.
“That was my final 12 months on my contract, so I used to be like, man, is one other crew possibly gonna take an opportunity on me?” Dobbins added. “And that is early. That is earlier than I knew, oh yeah, I am wholesome, oh yeah, I am gonna get this opportunity and I am gonna do nicely with it.”
The one factor Dobbins has had on his facet is youth. He’s nonetheless solely 25, which has allowed him to bounce again from his accidents faster than most.
By two weeks, he seems to be rejuvenated with loads of gasoline left within the tank. If he can keep wholesome, he might simply find yourself being the NFL’s main rusher and Comeback Participant of the 12 months by the top of the season.
“It was some lengthy darkish hours, darkish nights the place I could not sleep simply considering man, what is going on to occur?” Dobbins completed. “It has been a singular state of affairs and only a testimony to the work we have been placing in all through camp.”