It’s been a long road to recovery for Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins. The former second-round pick suffered a serious knee injury some 13 months ago and is eager to return to the field.
And when he does, it will mark the first time that Dobbins has played in front of a live crowd in his NFL career.
The former Ohio State star was robbed of that experience as a rookie as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that kept fans at home. And, unfortunately, he was robbed of it once again following the knee injury that kept him sidelined for all of 2021.
Dobbins has never played in front of a live crowd in Baltimore. With his return seemingly on the horizon, Dobbins is no doubt hungry to perform in front of Ravens fans for the first time in his career.
Ravens fans hope to see J.K. Dobbins return with a vengeance in 2022
A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Dobbins emerged as the Ravens’ top running back as his rookie season progressed. He finished the year with 805 yards on 134 carries with an average yards-per-carry of 6.0 that led all NFL running backs.
It was a phenomenal rookie season for the Houston native and many pegged Dobbins as a potential breakout star entering the 2021 season. That was before disaster struck.
Dobbins would suffer a significant knee injury in the preseason, one that was later revealed to be a torn ACL, LCL, hamstring, and meniscus. It was a devastating injury for the talented young running back, but Dobbins has grinded over the last 13 months with one goal in mind.
He wants to play football. And he wants to do so in front of Ravens fans.
"“It would mean the world to me if I can go out there this Sunday and play well in front of a full house.”"
J.K. Dobbins on last year’s injury: “It wasn’t just a regular ACL. It was pretty bad.”
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 14, 2022
Dobbins said he tore his ACL, LCL, hamstring and meniscus.
“It would mean the world to me if I can go out there this Sunday and play well in front of a full house."
pic.twitter.com/0SMwBNbqnW
The Ravens couldn’t be more excited for Dobbins to return to the field, but they’re understandably going to play it safe with their young running back given how much time he’s missed.
Expect to see a heavy dose of Kenyan Drake with some Mike Davis and potentially even Justice Hill sprinkled in on Sunday, even if Dobbins is able to play.
J.K. Dobbins’ return to the gridiron will be a culmination of 13 months of heartache and hard work. Sunday could be a very special day for Ravens Flock.