In a tough break for the Baltimore Ravens, second-year running back JK Dobbins suffered a torn ACL injury and will miss the entire season, making Gus Edwards the team’s primary RB.
Dobbins hyper-extended his left knee in a preseason game on Saturday against the Washington Football Team. Early in the first quarter, Dobbins caught a pass from Lamar Jackson, but blew out his ACL during the tackle. A dejected Dobbins needed assistance and was carted off the field.
The Ravens feared the worse, which was confirmed after an MRI on Sunday morning. Dobbins suffered a torn ACL, which will require surgery, and the Ravens lost a valuable component of their fearsome rushing attack.
Here is a video of the Dobbins injury
He was carted to the locker room.pic.twitter.com/ZGSyIMDIsh
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) August 28, 2021
Dobbins, a second-round draft pick out of Ohio State, made an auspicious debut as a rookie last season. In Week 1’s blowout against the Cleveland Browns, he scored two touchdowns. The Ravens featured Dobbins more in the second half of the season. He finished his rookie campaign averaging an explosive 6.0 yards per carry with 805 rushing yards on 134 carries. He also scored nine touchdowns.
In two postseason games with the Ravens, Dobbins rushed for 85 total yards at 4.5 yards per carry, but didn’t reach the end zone.
Edwards is the next man up at running back, but the Ravens also have Ty’Son Williams on the roster. Edwards averaged 5.2 yards per carry over the past three seasons as the Ravens’ backup running back. He scored six touchdowns and rushed for 723 yards on 144 carries last season while splitting time with Dobbins.
Williams, an undrafted running back out of BYU, spent last year on the Ravens’ practice squad. Williams had an impressive training camp this summer and was promoted to third string. With an injury to Dobbins, Williams has an opportunity to share the rock with Edwards.
The Ravens are a slight favorite ahead of the Cleveland Browns to win the “Smashmouth” division title in the NFC North. Dobbins’ injury didn’t alter the NFL futures board and the Ravens are +1400 odds to win Super Bowl 56, according to a recent update by DraftKings.
