Analysis

Any thoughts of Dobbins' spectacular Week 1 performance against the Raiders, which was fueled by 46- and 61-yard runs, having been an outlier were dispelled by the explosive back Sunday, with the 2020 second-round pick putting together a similarly impressive effort that included another 40-plus yard run. Dobbins' game-long scamper of 43 yards, which resulted in a touchdown just before the two-minute warning in the first half, served as the highlight of his day, but he consistently gained solid yardage while recording 88 yards on his other 16 totes. Dobbins was actually outpaced by one-time Ravens backfield mate Gus Edwards by one carry, but it's clear through two weeks there's plenty of room for two backs to be productive in head coach Jim Harbaugh's run-centered attack. Dobbins will look for a third consecutive 100-yard game when Los Angeles faces off with the Steelers on the road in Week 3.

Analysis

Dobbins had separate runs of 46 yards and 61 yards in the second half as the run-centric offense finally wore down the Raiders across the final 30 minutes of the contest. The fifth-year running back saw fewer carries than Gus Edwards (11 for 26 yards), but it was clear the scheme called for Dobbins to take the majority of rushes outside, and he also saw an overwhelming majority of the targets out of the backfield. While the 2020 second-round pick was chased down on both of his long runs, his clear burst and acceleration felt reminiscent of his early years with the Ravens before a series of serious knee injuries hurt his career trajectory. Dobbins could be poised for another heavy workload against a Panthers defense that allowed 47 points in Week 1.

Analysis

While he was with the Ravens in 2023, Dobbins tore his Achilles in Week 1 and missed the rest of the season, but he has healed up and has looked spry thus far during his time with the Chargers. Popper believes Dobbins will contribute regularly as a pass catcher, and the running back still has the speed to beat defenders to the edge. Dobbins is expected to begin his Chargers tenure in a timeshare with Gus Edwards. Both running backs previously played under Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman in Baltimore.

Analysis

The same goes for fellow key RB Gus Edwards, which sets the stage for Kimani Vidal, Isaiah Spiller, Jaret Patterson and Elijah Dotson to handle backfield work versus Seattle on Saturday. Dobbins' next chance to see exhibition action will be Aug. 17 against the Rams.

Analysis

Dobbins will avoid having to begin training camp on the PUP list, confirming that he's truly healthy after having suffered a torn Achilles' tendon in Baltimore's regular-season opener in 2023. Whether Dobbins' effectiveness has been compromised by the injury remains to be determined, as the torn Achilles represents the most recent setback among the gauntlet of major injuries he's dealt with in his NFL career, which also include a torn ACL, a torn LCL and severe hamstring strain. Still, Dobbins' presence on the field to begin camp is a major point in his favor, and as long as he hasn't lost too much explosiveness, he could be set for a significant role alongside former Ravens teammate Gus Edwards in a familiar rushing scheme led by offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

Analysis

"I've had these injuries, and it's been a storm," Dobbins said. "But I think the storm is over with, and I think I'm going to take off now. There's going to be no setbacks, and the 'injury prone' thing will be gone out of the window." Since being drafted in the second round by the Ravens in 2020, Dobbins has missed a whopping 43 games to various significant injuries, including a torn ACL, torn LCL, severe hamstring strain and a torn Achilles tendon. To say the injury-prone label is behind him might be wishful thinking, as his body has yet to cooperate with him to this point. The 25-year-old Dobbins joined Gus Edwards in following offensive coordinator Greg Roman from Baltimore to the Chargers, so he will at least be in a familiar scheme.

Analysis

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network relayed last month that Dobbins -- who suffered a torn Achilles in Baltimore's regular-season opener in 2023 -- has been cleared for football activities, with previous reports having noted that the running back had resumed running this offseason. Based on the assessment of Hortiz on Thursday, Dobbins is still working his way back from his injury. However, if the 2020 second-rounder is able to return to form, he and Gus Edwards, who also came over from the Ravens in free agency, have a chance to provide an effective 1-2 punch in the Chargers backfield in 2024 under the guidance of offensive coordinator Greg Roman, under whom both players worked with in Baltimore.

Analysis

A second-round pick of the Ravens in 2020, Dobbins had two of his first four professional seasons cut short due to an ACL tear in 2021 and then a torn left Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign. In his 24 career appearances, he's averaged a robust 5.8 yards on 234 carries, gathered in 27 of 35 targets for 177 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache penned a letter to NFL teams in late March noting that Dobbins had received medical clearance to participate in football activities, but his new contract will be contingent on him passing a physical. Once the move west to Los Angeles becomes official, Dobbins will join forces with former teammate Gus Edwards at the top of the depth chart at running back, giving him some fantasy appeal while he works alongside franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.

Analysis

Dobbins met with the Chargers last week, shortly after orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache notified NFL teams that the running back has medical clearance for football activities. The 25-year-old is coming up on the seven-month mark since suffering an Achilles' tear in Baltimore's Week 1 win over Houston. Schefter's report Tuesday morning suggests Dobbins is expected to sign a contract soon.