Analysis

It was a grinding effort for Dobbins as the Patriots clearly made it a priority to stop him, but Dobbins held up well in his first game back from a four-week knee injury. Not just that, but the Patriots paid dearly for focusing on the run, as Justin Herbert torched them for 281 yards and three touchdowns while completing targets to nine different pass catchers. If the Chargers feed Dobbins against the Raiders in Week 18, he'll be a strong bet to make it two good games in a row, though it's worth noting the team has now clinched a playoff berth.

Analysis

The return of Dobbins -- who was activated from IR on Friday after having missed four games since the Chargers' Week 12 loss to the Ravens -- arrives at an opportune juncture, with fellow running back Gus Edwards having been ruled out with an ankle issue. Prior to sustaining his knee injury, Dobbins recorded 766 yards and eight touchdowns on 158 carries (4.8 yards per carry) and added 28 catches for 134 yards in 11 contests. In his return to the lineup, the 26-year-old will have an opportunity to reclaim the lead role in a Week 17 Los Angeles backfield that will also include Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins. The 9-6 Chargers can clinch a playoff spot with a win Saturday.

Analysis

While technically still listed as questionable, Dobbins presumably wouldn't have been activated from IR unless the team intended for him to play in Saturday's game at the Patriots. He may even handle a large workload from the jump, considering fellow Chargers running back Gus Edwards (ankle) has been ruled out. The Chargers listed Dobbins as a full practice participant Thursday, following limited listings Tuesday and Wednesday.

Analysis

Los Angeles has ruled out Gus Edwards (ankle) for Saturday, but Dobbins' potential return would provide a lift to a Chargers backfield that currently has just two healthy options on the 53-man roster (Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins). After being designated for return from injured reserve Monday, Dobbins was listed as a limited participant in the Chargers' first two Week 17 practices before working fully Friday, which represented his first on-field work since suffering an MCL sprain in his left knee during the team's 30-23 loss to the Ravens on Nov. 25. In order to be eligible to play Saturday, the Chargers would first activate Dobbins from IR ahead of Friday's 4 p.m. ET deadline for Week 17 transactions. If added back to the roster, Dobbins would presumably work as the lead option out of the backfield, while Vidal and Haskins remain in their depth roles.

Analysis

After the Chargers designated him for return from injured reserve Monday following a four-game absence, Dobbins has now turned in a pair of limited practices to begin Week 17 prep. Meanwhile, fellow running back Gus Edwards (ankle) has also logged two straight limited listings, which sets the stage for Thursday's session to be an important in determining the statuses of Dobbins and Edwards heading into Saturday's game against the Patriots. The Chargers would need to activate Dobbins from injured reserve by Friday in order for him to play Saturday.

Analysis

Los Angeles opened Dobbins' 21-day practice window Monday, but it wasn't until Tuesday that the team submitted its first Week 17 practice report. The running back is unsurprisingly operating with a cap on his reps as he works his way back from the MCL sprain he suffered Nov. 25, and he'll probably need to upgrade to full participation by Thursday for the Chargers to consider adding him back to the 53-man roster ahead of Saturday's game against the Patriots. During Dobbins' four-game absence, the Chargers have been leaning on Gus Edwards (ankle) -- who was also limited Tuesday -- as the lead option of a three-man backfield committee including Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins.

Analysis

Dobbins has been on injured reserve since Nov. 30, and he's since missed the required four games. It's not yet clear if the veteran running back will be able to suit up Saturday against New England, and Los Angeles would need to first activate him in order for him to return to the field. Dobbins' level of participation in practice this week should shed some light on the chance of that happening. Gus Edwards has been working as the Chargers' lead back in Dobbins' absence, and though Edwards has largely struggled in the role, he did break through for 68 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries last Thursday versus Denver.

Analysis

Head coach Jim Harbaugh suggested earlier in the week the talented running back would be out some time, and now we know Dobbins will miss at minimum four weeks due to a knee sprain. He should be back well in time for the NFL playoffs, but fantasy managers will be without the powerful back until at least Week 17 against the Patriots. Gus Edwards and Hassan Haskins were the two backs used in the Week 12 loss to the Ravens, but that was in part because rookie Kimani Vidal wasn't active for the contest, as the Chargers prefer Haskins' utility on special teams. Vidal could be poised to see the biggest leap in playing time, perhaps effectively taking over Dobbins' role as an explosive option out of the backfield, with Edwards operating as a bruising between-the-tackles ball carrier.

Analysis

Dobbins will miss at least one game, as expected, after spraining the MCL in his left knee during Monday's 30-23 loss to the Ravens. Gus Edwards is likely to get the majority of backfield playing time against the Falcons, with Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins also on hand. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that Dobbins will "miss some time" due to the injury, so it's unclear if Dobbins has a chance to return Week 14 against the Chiefs.