Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins has played in nine out of 51 games over the past three seasons due to injuries but said Thursday that he's healthy and ready to prove he's one of the top rushers in the NFL.
"I do think if I get the volume, I'll be one of the best in the league," he said, via Kris Rhim of ESPN. "I've shown that. Y'all know how much yards I averaged per carry?"
For his career, Dobbins has averaged 5.8 YPC over four years. During his splendid rookie campaign in 2020, he averaged 6.0 yards per attempt on 134 carries. Since then, he's taken just 100 total totes over the past three seasons.
First came the preseason ACL tear in 2021 that wiped out the entire campaign. He didn't look right early in 2022 and required another procedure midseason that relegated him to eight games. In 2023, he tore his Achilles in Week 1 after eight totes.
Dobbins said he's fully healthy and actually feels "faster." He noted that the year off helped "slow" things down for him.
Heading to Los Angeles to rejoin offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Dobbins said he's as spry as he's been as a pro.
"I feel like I'm in college out there right now," Dobbins said. "And I do think that the storm is over. Now I'm on a new journey, a healthy journey this year. You guys will see -- it'll be special."
With fellow former Raven Gus Edwards coming off offseason surgery that has the Chargers holding him back, Dobbins has taken most of the reps early in training camp. If the slashing running back can stay healthy, he should win a sizable role in what is expected to be a hefty rushing attack in L.A.
