Why isn’t J.K. Dobbins playing the preseason? Ravens running back ‘on track’ to play Week 1, but ACL still recovering

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Ravens fans are going to have to wait a bit longer to see J.K. Dobbins on the field.

After an electrifying rookie campaign in which he had over 900 all-purpose yards, Dobbins missed all of 2021 with a torn ACL, an injury sustained in Baltimore’s final preseason game.

Dobbins, who started training camp on the PUP list, was activated this past Monday and practiced. According to Adam Schefte, Dobbins is “on track to be ready” for Week 1.

Despite a myriad of injuries to the backfield, the Ravens were still third in the NFL last season in rushing; however, their quarterback, Lamar Jackson, was the team leader by nearly 200 yards. Contingency option Devonta Freeman did rack up over 500 yards rushing, but the position was a pain point for Baltimore last year.

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Why isn’t J.K. Dobbins playing in the preseason?

Although he’s good enough for practice, game speed is a very different issue.

Having starting training camp on the PUP list, Dobbins will have to prioritize getting re-acclimated to offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s offense, working with Jackson in the backfield, and running drills to work up to game speed.

With that in mind, the Ravens are staying conservative in Dobbins’ return timeline.

“Yeah, [Dobbins] definitely wants to go,” John Harbaugh said last week, according to the team’s site. “He’s made it very clear, and he’s not just clear in the fact that he tells everybody all the time. But that’s up to the doctors and him, and they’ll work it out. As soon as he’s back out there, we’ll be coaching him really hard.”

Dobbins took issue with Ian Rapoport earlier in the offseason, when Rapoport reported Dobbins was “no sure thing” to go in Week 1. Dobbins replied, saying

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While Dobbins did go on the PUP shortly after, his return in Week 1 seems promising.

Will J.K. Dobbins be ready for Week 1?

Dobbins likely won’t see the field during the preseason, but he should be ready for the Ravens’ Sep. 11 opener against the Jets in New York.

“I thought he looked pretty pretty good in individual, first day back he was out there in individual, you guys saw him moving around, running the ball-handling drill, that’ll be the first step,” Harbaugh said. “Maybe we add a little more every day, kinda see how he handles it and see how the knee responds, but it seems like it’s so far so good.”

Harbaugh isn’t the type of coach who is going to rush anyone back. Indeed, the Ravens had Jackson miss time in 2021 with a few injuries. Dobbins may not be playing in the preseason this year, but the Ravens are looking ahead.

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