In three preseason video games, the Ravens didn’t produce a dominant runner. That doesn't bode nicely for an offense that's centered across the working recreation, and it solely provides to the intrigue of J.Okay. Dobbins’ return to the beginning lineup.
The issue? No person is aware of precisely when he'll return. Coach John Harbaugh has stored a veil of secrecy round Dobbins’ knee damage and restoration from a torn ACL over the past yr. Nonetheless, I’d be shocked if he doesn’t begin Sunday within the season opener in opposition to the New York Jets.
The Ravens’ dashing assault wants a raise. It hasn’t been its regular self since 2020, and within the preseason — with out Dobbins — Baltimore ran for 226 yards on 71 carries, or 3.18 yards per carry. That’s not adequate.
Dobbins’ return is barely rivaled by the comeback of Professional Bowl left offensive sort out Ronnie Stanley, which might give much-needed stability to the offensive line. Stanley, who's recovering from a number of ankle surgical procedures after his preliminary damage in November 2020, returned to full-team exercises Monday.
“It simply depends upon how he’s doing,” Harbaugh stated of Stanley on Monday earlier than giving an total evaluation of recovering injured gamers after a three-day layoff from apply. “Quite a lot of it has to do with how he’s feeling and if he’s able to go. If he feels sturdy, if he’s transferring and seems like he will be profitable, and if we see what we have to see. Similar factor with J.Okay., [cornerback] Marcus [Peters] or any of these guys.”
One factor that’s sure: Will probably be laborious for the Ravens to win with out both one.
“J.Okay. has appeared higher day-after-day, he appears to be like good,” Harbaugh stated after apply final Wednesday. “His quickness is form of again.”
Form of? That raises alarm bells. Years in the past, knee accidents mainly took two years to heal, however current advances in surgical procedure, know-how and rehabilitation have closed the window to 1.
Nevertheless, some gamers heal quicker than others, and we’re not aware about the extent of Dobbins’ damage. Till he performs a recreation, there's nonetheless a sure diploma of uncertainty that he will be again to his outdated self and deal with the wear-and-tear of an NFL season.
Video games are brutal for all NFL gamers, however particularly working backs due to the constant physique blows and the laborious cuts they make to get previous defenders.
That’s why the Ravens have been so affected person with Dobbins. They will’t afford to have their 2020 second-round draft select of the lineup for one more season. Final yr, when Dobbins and backup Gus Edwards (knee) suffered season-ending accidents earlier than Week 1, the Ravens introduced in veterans Devonta Freeman (133 carries for 576 yards) and Latavius Murray (119 carries for 501 yards). They have been serviceable replacements, however they couldn’t ship large performs.
As insurance coverage, the Ravens have added veterans Mike Davis and Kenyan Drake this season, however Dobbins has a mix of pace and energy they merely don’t possess. He isn’t a house run hitter, however he can produce an occasional large achieve. There's a suddenness to his recreation that gives the Ravens with one other exterior risk alongside quarterback Lamar Jackson.
In an offense that's centered round working the ball, Jackson and Dobbins are the bread and butter.
As a rookie in 2020, Dobbins rushed for 805 yards on 134 carries and scored 9 touchdowns. He was anticipated to turn into one of many prime working backs within the league final season as soon as he improved as a receiver out of the backfield.
However the damage within the preseason finale in opposition to Washington delayed that rise to stardom. Now, Dobbins seems able to make the leap. Throughout coaching camp, Dobbins was clearly agitated by being held out of practices, however he carried out nicely in drills.
If he will get on the sector in opposition to the Jets, that will likely be a significant step in his return. One other will likely be having three or 4 sturdy video games in a row. If he can develop as a cross catcher, he will likely be a greater participant than he was earlier than the knee damage.
However there are a variety of ifs, which makes Dobbins so intriguing. If he performs in addition to he did as a rookie, Dobbins could have healed each himself and the Ravens’ working recreation.
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