Untimely Panthers injury sets up Chargers' J.K. Dobbins for another fantasy boom

Perhaps the biggest standout from the LA Chargers' Week 1 win over the Las Vegas Raiders was running back J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins was the catalyst for just about everything the Chargers did offensively, finishing his Week 1 with 10 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown.

Dobbins' performance certainly was not expected as most fans and analysts did not know how the Chargers would approach the running game. With fellow Baltimore Ravens teammate Gus Edwards, there was no telling what kind of role Dobbins had and whether or not he would still have explosiveness.

One good game does not guarantee a great season and Dobbins knows that all too well with his unfortunate injury history. However, at the very least, Dobbins is primed for another big game in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers.

Not only does playing the Panthers create a situation in which the Chargers may run the ball a lot (to protect a lead) but the talent-depraved Panthers will also be without one of their premier run stuffers. Defensive tackle Derrick Brown suffered an unfortunate meniscus injury in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints and could miss the rest of 2024.

J.K. Dobbins very well may have another fantasy boom for the Chargers in Week 2

There were undoubtedly a lot of fantasy owners who took the risk of drafting Dobbins but did not start him in Week 1. After all, with so much uncertainty, there were plenty of backs who appeared to be better starting options.

That might not be the case in Week 2 after Dobbins turned in a 22.9-point performance in PPR leagues. Brown, who was a Pro Bowler last season, is the Panthers' best interior run defender and would have been key in slowing down Jim Harbaugh's rushing attack.

Without Brown in the center, the Panthers are set up to struggle against the run. And if Dobbins was able to succeed against a Raiders' defensive front that was pinning its ears back, he should be able to succeed against a subpar Panthers team.

The only (fantasy) concern is Edwards potentially eating into Dobbins' snaps and hurting his production. However, the Chargers' coaching staff has made it very clear they will ride the hot hand and right now that is Dobbins. Edwards is still a quality change-of-pace option in short-yardage but Dobbins is the better option to serve as the catalyst of the offense.

Is another 22.9-point performance on the horizon for Dobbins? Well, that is hard to predict. But there is a good chance the Chargers running back will follow up his great season debut with another promising outing that could win some fantasy matchups in Week 2.