Running back Dobbins returns to practice
Fourth-year veteran back on the field for first time at camp
The J.K. Dobbins wait is over.
After 19 days, the Ravens’ top running back came jogging onto the field at the team’s facility in Owings Mills for the first time during training camp Monday afternoon. He slapped hands with fans as well as quarterback Lamar Jackson, was met with cheers, and coach John Harbaugh said he was happy to see him back in uniform.
“It feels good to have him back there on the field,” Harbaugh said. “He’s excited. We’re all excited.”
Dobbins had been on the physically unable to perform list with what Harbaugh previously described as a situation with “some complexity” to it. But that cloak of complexity wasn’t hard to see though.
The 24-year-old is in the last year of his rookie contract and has been seeking an extension. He also wasn’t a participant in the Ravens’ voluntary offseason programs or its mandatory three-day minicamp in June, after which he expressed his discord over his current contract situation in a television interview. But he’s also seeking an extension at a time when even the top running backs in the NFL are struggling to be paid what they think they’re worth.
Dobbins’ return, however, marks a turning point with the start of the regular season less than a month away, although it will take some time before he’s a full participant.
On Monday, Dobbins, who was unavailable to reporters, did only light work in individual drills in what was a glorified walkthrough, with the Ravens hosting the Washington Commanders for two days of joint practices beginning Tuesday morning.
A 2020 second-round pick, Dobbins played in just eight games last season after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee in a 2021 preseason game against Washington. He returned in Week 3 of last year but needed another cleanup surgery before returning in December. Dobbins has missed 27 of 50 regular-season games in his career because of injuries.
Still, when he has been on the field he has been valuable.
Dobbins has rushed for 1,325 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career while gaining 5.9 yards per carry. That included a four-game span down the stretch last season when he rushed for 397 yards, twice topping the 100-yard mark.
Though the Ravens starters played Tuesday in the first of two joint practices with the Commanders, Dobbins did not participate in team drills. It’s unlikely Dobbins will see much, if any, action heading into and including Monday night’s preseason game in Washington as the Ravens said they will take a cautious approach.
“We’ll probably ramp him up a little bit this week and be smart with how we do it,” Harbaugh said, adding that Dobbins is 100% healthy. “He looks good. He’s been training hard.”
As for why Dobbins decided to return now, Harbaugh was unsure.
“I think it just worked out for whatever reasons it worked out,” Harbaugh said. “I try not to look at it too deeply and be grateful.”