J.K. Dobbins likely to return vs. Patriots as Chargers look to clinch playoff berth

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At his media availability on Monday, LA Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that the team would be opening the 21-day practice window for RB J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins has spent the last four games on IR after suffering a knee sprain vs. the Ravens.

The backfield has mainly consisted of Gus Edwards, Kimani Vidal, and Hassan Haskins in his absence. The Chargers also elevated Jaret Patterson once.

There was no official injury report on Monday, but Dobbins was seen participating in drills at practice. Assuming he at least registers limited participation in practice from Tuesday to Thursday, he could finally get back on the field vs. the Patriots.

Most of the other occasions that the Chargers have opened the 21-day window this season have resulted in that player being activated off of IR prior to the respective week’s game.

All signs point to J.K. Dobbins returning in Chargers-Patriots

The rushing production of J.K. Dobbins speaks for itself in the raw numbers like yardage and touchdowns. But the advanced stats show that the Chargers’ run game has fallen off a cliff from an efficiency standpoint without him.

From Weeks 1-12, the Chargers were 15th in rush EPA. While the run blocking up front was not great on the interior, Dobbins did enough to turn some negative plays into positive gains.

In Weeks 13-16 without Dobbins, Los Angeles’ rushing efficiency has plummeted. They’re 30th in rush EPA in the four games that he has been on IR.

The run game won’t necessarily turn into an elite operation with Dobbins back, but he at the very least gives Greg Roman’s rushing attack a much higher floor. Dobbins also still likely has some contract incentives that he can hit in the team's final two weeks, assuming he does play.

As the team looks to clinch a playoff spot vs. New England, getting Dobbins some carries in his first game back will be paramount. Assuming the Chargers are able to wrap up a playoff berth in Week 17, it’s unclear how much Jim Harbaugh and the coaching staff would be willing to play starters in the season finale vs. Las Vegas.

Vidal has been a healthy scratch when both Dobbins and Edwards have been healthy, so it should probably be expected for that to be the case once again this week.

Dobbins will look to help the Chargers clinch a playoff spot against the Patriots if he is indeed active on game day.

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