J.K. Dobbins is eligible to take part in his first team activities of the offseason. The Ravens’ lead back has been activated from the PUP list today, per a team announcement.
Dobbins missed OTAs and minicamp while dealing with an undefined injury and apparent tension over his contract status. He was also absent from the first 14 practices of training camp and the team’s record-extending 24th consecutive preseason win on Saturday, giving him plenty of ground to make up with respect to acclimating to new OC Todd Monken‘s scheme. With Dobbins activated, Baltimore does not have any remaining players on the PUP list.
A major knee injury cost Dobbins the entire 2021 season and the beginning of the following campaign. He returned for a four-game stretch in 2022 but then underwent a cleanup procedure to recover in full. After seeing the field following the second surgery, the 24-year-old showed the efficiency which was present before the injury, something which has helped put him on the extension radar.
Head coach John Harbaugh has remained optimistic that Dobbins would return to Ravens camp shortly, something which could help contract talks yield progress. An extension has been discussed recently, but nothing is considered imminent. The significant missed time in the Ohio State alum’s career serves as an obvious factor working against him with respect to securing a multiyear commitment from the Ravens.
More generally, the running back market has skewed heavily in favor of teams over players recently, as the actions by a number of the league’s top producers at the position have alluded to throughout the offseason. Baltimore has a number of other options in the running game aside from Dobbins, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Quarterback Lamar Jackson can be expected to remain a frequent runner despite the offensive coordinator change, while Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon are all on the books as well for 2023.
Limited usage relative to other lead backs could thus remain an element of Dobbins’ upcoming season. That, in turn, would also likely hurt his production and subsequent free agent value, though operating as part of a committee could have long-term benefits for the former second-rounder. In the immediate future, Dobbins will make a welcomed return to the fold with the regular season not far away.
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