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J.K. Dobbins would never say his triumphant return to the field one year after suffering a torn Achilles was satisfying. The Chargers running back wouldn’t even say that rushing for 135 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 was emotional.
He has bigger plans.
“I knew that’s how hard I worked,” Dobbins said after the game. “I knew it was going to show. I knew my prayers were going to be answered.”
After starring for the Chargers in Week 1, Dobbins could become the first Chargers running back to start a season with back-to-back 100-yard rushing games when the team faces the Carolina Panthers at 10 a.m. PDT on Sunday.
His 13.5 yards per carry average are the most in an opening NFL weekend among players with at least 10 attempts. He caught three passes for four yards. Coach Jim Harbaugh’s favorite part was that Dobbins was “elite” in pass protection.
Read more: Jim Harbaugh gushes over talent of veteran Chargers: ‘I feel lucky to be here’
“I didn’t like J.K.’s performance,” Harbaugh said, “I loved it. In all ways.”
What Dobbins didn’t love about his performance was his conditioning. After a yearlong layoff, he admitted he needed to get in better shape after he got chased down on long runs of 46 and 61 yards.
Dobbins showed he still has his top-end speed while racing past the first and second levels of defenders. According to Zebra Technologies, which partners with the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Dobbins reached 19.92 mph on the field Sunday. It was tied with Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley for the highest top speed reached by a running back during Week 1.
“There’s not too many things that are more impressive than when you see somebody that has a season-ending injury that comes back and then is up to that same standard, maybe even a little better: faster, quicker, stronger,” Harbaugh said. “What you know when that takes place is the grueling rehab. … He definitely put in the work and he’s done it…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-chargers-j-k-010607417.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-09-12 01:06:07
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