Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins is listed as questionable for his team’s Week 17 game against the New England Patriots. He would be a tremendous boost to the Chargers running game should he make it back to the field.
Chargers’ J.K. Dobbins Questionable For Week 17 Against Patriots
Week 17 Status: Dobbins is officially active and playing in Week 17.
The Chargers enter the game with playoff implications on the line. The running game has been missing in action since Dobbins left the lineup. To make matters worse, backup running back Gus Edwards, who has been the workhorse in Dobbins’ absence, is also on the injury report and has been ruled out of Saturday’s game.
#Boltup RB JK DOBBINS is set to return this weekend for the fantasy championship vs the #NEPats.
With Gus Edwards out, its likely him alone in the backfield. Are you firing him back up immediately⁉️pic.twitter.com/Yh9720AvUL
— PlayerProfiler NFL (@Profiler_NFL) December 27, 2024
The Chargers are “optimistic” Dobbins can return from his knee injury in time for Saturday’s game against the Patriots, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported on Friday.
Dobbins suffered a knee sprain against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12. His going on injured reserve after required him to miss four games at a minimum. This is the first week he was eligible to come off of the list. He was limited in practice this week, as his 21-day window was opened, according to the Chargers injury report and Harbaugh. He rejoined the team for a full Thursday practice.
Dobbins coming back is vital to the Chargers playoff push. With Edwards ruled out of Saturday’s game, the Chargers need their leading rusher back on the field. Dobbins has to be activated by 4 p.m. ET on Friday in order to be eligible to play on Saturday.
Dobbins’ Week 17 Fantasy Outlook
– Fantasy analysis provided by PFN’s Kyle Soppe
J.K. Dobbins missed a month, and his potential return to action, while a nice boost for a Chargers ground game sans Gus Edwards, doesn’t require action in fantasy leagues.
The fast start to the season was nice, but after his initial burst, he’s averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, and his value figures to be capped at such a level that anything but elite efficiency will make him unplayable in most formats.
Chargers Stats and Insights
Team: Thursday’s win was the second time in 32 days in which the Chargers won a game in which they allowed 27+ points and lost the turnover battle – the other 31 teams had done it five times up to that point.
QB: Justin Herbert’s aggression seems to be fading. After posting a 10.1-yard average depth of throw against the Chiefs in Week 14 (his fourth double-digit effort of the season), his rate checked in at 8.2 yards in Week 15 against the Buccaneers and 6.8 in Thursday’s win over the Broncos.
Offense: Los Angeles averaged a season-high 3.1 points per possession on Thursday night, punting on just 27.3% of their possessions (their fourth game this season with a sub-30% punt rate).
Defense: The Chargers eventually forced a punt after failing to do so on 16 straight drives—that’s the longest streak this season and one shy of matching the longest in franchise history.
Fantasy: Gus Edwards ran 14 times for 68 yards (43 on a single carry) and two touchdowns on Thursday night – that was the sixth instance in which a running back had two rushing touchdowns on under 15 carries since the beginning of November – teammate J.K. Dobbins was responsible for two of the other five.
Betting: Unders are 7-3 in Los Angeles’ past 10 games played on extended rest.