J.K. Dobbins signs with Chargers, continuing the trend of former Ravens heading to LA
Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins (27)runs with the ball after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Baltimore. Dobbins signed a one-year contract with the Chargers Thursday, April 18, 2024, continuing the run of former Baltimore Ravens coming to Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Terrance Williams
COSTA MESA, Calif. — Running back J.K. Dobbins signed a one-year contract with the Chargers on Thursday, continuing the run of former Baltimore Ravens coming to Los Angeles.
Dobbins is the fourth former Ravens player signed by general manager Joe Hortiz, who joined the Chargers in February after a long tenure in Baltimore, including the past 10 as director of college scouting.
Dobbins averaged 5.8 rushing yards per carry the past four seasons, which leads the league among players with a minimum of 200 rushing attempts. However, he has played in only nine games the past three seasons because of injuries.
He missed the 2021 season after suffering a left knee injury in the preseason finale. Dobbins played in only one game last year when he tore his Achilles tendon during the second half of the opener against Houston.
Dobbins will be reunited with running back Gus Edwards, his teammate in the Ravens' backfield the past four seasons. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman was also in Baltimore during Dobbins' first three years in the league.
Jim Harbaugh has stressed massive improvements in the run game and being more physical since being hired as Chargers coach in January. Over the past three seasons, Los Angeles has run it on only 37.1% of its offensive plays, tied for second lowest in the league.
During the same stretch, Baltimore had a league-leading 225 carries of at least 10 yards.
Tight end Hayden Hurst and center Bradley Bozeman are the other former Ravens who have signed with the Bolts.
