Second-year running back J.K. Dobbins had a year to forget for the Baltimore Ravens, missing the entirety of last season after tearing his ACL in the team’s final preseason game.
The 23-year-old had a great rookie season in 2020, rushing for 805 yards and nine touchdowns while recording six yards-per-carry. Given those impressive stats, many have been speculating when he will return for the Ravens, as he will likely be the team’s starting running back when fully healthy.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that Dobbins is “no sure thing” for Week 1 despite not having any setbacks in his recovery process and that the Ravens will likely not rush him back.
From NFL Now: #Ravens RB JK Dobbins is no sure thing for Week 1. He hasn’t had any setbacks. But his knee injury was a serious one, and Baltimore has no incentive to rush him back. They protected themselves with veteran Mike Davis, regardless. pic.twitter.com/j5xi6dYabU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 18, 2022
Dobbins clearly feels differently about his recovery process, responding to Rapoport’s claim with a clear statement that he plans to play in the Ravens’ Week 1 game against the New York Jets.
“Okay I’m tired of being quiet… come to me for your course because I might not even go on PUP (physically unable to perform list) because that’s how good my rehab is going and I’m damn sure going to be ready for week 1.”
Okay I’m tired of being quiet… come to me for your source @RapSheet because I might not even go on PUP because that’s how good my rehab is going and I’m damn sure going to be ready for week 1. https://t.co/gH2TqCFLM4
— Jk dobbins (@Jkdobbins22) July 18, 2022
Rapoport was on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday afternoon shortly after this response from Dobbins, where he discussed getting “dunked on” by Dobbins in his response.
“I hope for J.K. Dobbins’s sake he is ready for week 1. That would be good for him. I am sticking with the person who told me this, I am very very comfortable with the source of this report,” said Rapoport.
.@Jkdobbins22 just DUNKED on you @RapSheet#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/5YDs5tNRF6
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 18, 2022
It is definitely interesting to hear Rapoport double down on his report even when Dobbins said he plans to be good to go.
If the Ravens ultimately decide to express caution with Dobbins, Rapoport may be right. But if Dobbins shows that he can be at 100 percent throughout training camp, it seems hard to believe that he won’t be playing for the Ravens at the start of the upcoming season.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.