Before joining the Los Angeles Chargers, JK Dobbins was most known for how many games he has missed due to injury. He played in just 23 of 67 possible games in his first four seasons. He missed all of his second season with a torn ACL. Last season, he tore his Achilles in the first game missing the rest of the season.
It wasn’t far into the Chargers rebuild that it was evident that they were attempting to build the West Coast Baltimore Ravens. That included adding two former Ravens to their offensive backfield in Gus Edwards and Dobbins.
Of course, there were questions about Dobbins’s durability, longevity, and recovery. Through two games, Dobbins has answered many of those questions.
JK Dobbins Makes Case For CPOY
In his first game against the Las Vegas Raiders, he took 10 carries for a total of 135 yards. 79 percent of those yards per picked up on two explosive runs of 46 and 61 yards.
He followed that up with another fantastic performance. Against the Carolina Panthers, Dobbins rushed for 131 yards on 17 carries. He added another explosive 43-yard rush, this one ended with six points.
Of course, he hasn’t answered all the questions leveled against him. He looks to be the same speedy, explosive back he was thought to be coming out of Ohio State in 2020, but he still needs to prove he can stay on the field for the remaining 15 games of a very long regular season.
If he can keep this up, he will be the front-runner for the Comeback Player of the Year.
For the last six seasons, a quarterback has won the award. This means that Aaron Rodgers is likely Dobbins’s biggest competition. But history may be his stiffest test. A running back hasn’t won CPOY since 2001 when Garrison Hearst took home the commendation.
Rodgers is the odds-on favorite per Vegas oddsmakers. Dobbins is currently 8th in the running, one spot ahead of teammate Joey Bosa
The last Chargers player to win was Keenan Allen in 2016. Philip Rivers and Drew Brees won as Chargers as well.
