Report: MRI confirms Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins suffered season-ending knee injury in preseason finale
The Ravens’ worst fears were realized Sunday when an MRI showed that running back J.K. Dobbins had suffered a season-ending knee injury the evening before, according to an ESPN report.
Dobbins tore his left ACL after he caught a screen pass from Lamar Jackson on the Ravens’ first drive of their preseason finale against the Washington Football Team on Saturday night. The second-year running back was helped off the field and rode to the locker room on a cart.
“Been down this road before,” Dobbins’ agent, Zac Hiller, tweeted shortly after news of the MRI results broke. “He’ll come back bigger stronger faster.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh did not offer a detailed update on Dobbins’ condition after the 37-3 victory, saying only that Dobbins’ status would be determined by an MRI. Teammates, however, spoke about the injury as if it was potentially serious.
“I’m hurt, bro, because you know how much work he put in, the type of guy he is,” wide receiver James Proche II said. “He’s just a real solid dude, and he loves the game, man, so anytime the game’s taken away from a dude like that, you really feel for him.”
Linebacker Patrick Queen, who was drafted one round ahead of Dobbins in 2020, offered similar words: “That’s my guy. It felt bad at first. I was hoping for nothing, but I know he’s going to be fine regardless of what happens, whatever it may be, whatever the outcome is.”
The Ravens were counting on Dobbins to be their No. 1 running back after he came on strong down the stretch of his rookie season. He rushed for 805 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging an impressive 6 yards per carry. Dobbins, 22, said he planned to become a greater threat as a receiver and breakaway runner in 2021, and the Ravens showed their faith in him by moving on from former starter Mark Ingram II after last season.
With Dobbins out, they’ll ask more of his backfield partner, Gus Edwards. The injury could also create greater opportunities for Justice Hill, who served as the team’s fourth running back last season, and Ty’Son Williams, who came on strong in training camp after spending most of last season on the practice squad.
“Ty’Son has had a great camp,” Harbaugh said Saturday night after Williams carried four times for 42 yards against Washington.
The Ravens could also look to sign a veteran free agent. In June, for example, they brought in former Los Angeles Rams All-Pro Todd Gurley for a visit. Gurley is still a free agent, as are several other big names from the past, including Frank Gore Sr. and Adrian Peterson.
