The Denver Broncos are signing former Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins, according to multiple reports.
Per NFL Network, Dobbins’ contract is for one year and $5.25 million.
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Dobbins, 26, is coming off a single season with the Chargers in which he bounced back successfully from a torn Achilles tendon. Dobbins previously played for parts of three injury-plagued seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
Dobbins missed his entire second NFL season in 2021 with a devastating leg injury that included tears to his left ACL, LCL and meniscus. Dobbins was limited to eight games in 2022, then suffered a torn Achilles during Week 1 of the 2023 season. The injury ended his season and, ultimately, his tenure with the Ravens.
Dobbins was a force when healthy and averaged 5.8 yards per carry during his Ravens tenure. He signed a one-year, $1.6 million deal with the Chargers last offseason that was essentially a flyer. It paid off for the Chargers.
Dobbins played in 13 games for Los Angeles, including 11 starts. He tallied 1,058 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry as the Chargers’ lead back.
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Now he has a new deal with the rival Broncos that comes with a healthy pay raise.
How Dobbins fits in Denver
Dobbins joins a Broncos backfield in search of an upgrade. Javonte Williams led Denver in rushing last season with 503 yards on 3.7 yards per carry. Williams signed with the Cowboys as a free agent, leaving Jaleel McLaughlin (496 yards, 4.4 ypc) and Audric Estime (310 yards, 4.1 ypc) as the top returning running back options.
The Broncos selected UCF running back R.J. Harvey in the second round of April’s draft, a slot that suggests that he’ll have a leg up on the starting job in Denver. He’ll now have more competition for touches from an established veteran with the arrival of Dobbins.
