Chargers' J.K. Dobbins climbs Comeback Player of the Year charts after SNF heroics

J.K. Dobbins' game-winning score against the Cincinnati Bengals and clutch carries throughout the game continued what has been an amazing comeback season for him in 2024. The former Ravens' running back is now up to 726 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the year. He's also still at 4.8 yards per carry, despite the Chargers' run blocking not being at its best this season.

The road back for Dobbins to this moment has not been easy. He has played just nine games in the last three years after dealing with a combination of several different injuries. In 2023, Dobbins ruptured his Achilles in Baltimore's season opener. He would not take the field again until the Chargers played the Raiders to start the season this year.

Going past simply the playing time missed, there's obviously a continuous cycle of rehab that Dobbins has had to undergo from his ACL/LCL tear in 2021 to his Achilles rupture last season. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers had nothing but nice things to say about working on Achilles rehab with Dobbins last season at the same facility.

However, the history of the Comeback Player of the Year award is rather quarterback-centric. The last six winners have all been signal callers. Perhaps fittingly given Dobbins' case, the last non-QB to win the award was Chargers' wideout Keenan Allen in 2017 after returning from an ACL tear.

Chargers' J.K. Dobbins needs to overcome several QBs to win Comeback Player of the Year

The most recent DraftKings odds following Week 11's action have the Chargers' running back behind two quarterbacks battling back from 2023 injuries: Kirk Cousins and Joe Burrow.

Cousins is coming back from a ruptured Achilles while Joe Burrow dealt with a wrist ligament injury that ended his season last year.

Still, even though Dobbins is behind these two quarterbacks, it's a positive sign that there are no odds on favorite for the award yet. Assuming Dobbins can continue putting up production at his current pace, he'll most certainly be one of the finalists for the award.

It's important to note that Dobbins' performance this season in particular has come at a time when Gus Edwards has not been at his healthiest. Edwards missed four games on IR earlier this season. He also did not take a carry after the third quarter as they elected to give more touches to Dobbins.

Outside of select games this season, the Ohio State product has taken on the brunt of the load without as much help behind him.

Dobbins, Edwards, and OC Greg Roman will play against their old team in the Baltimore Ravens this week in the Harbaugh Bowl on MNF.