Getty Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins is carted off the field after a season-ending injury in 2021.
Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins was quick to fire back at NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport after he reported on July 18 that Dobbins was “no sure thing to make Week 1.”
“It sounds like the recovery is going well,” said Rapoport of Dobbins’ rehab from a brutal knee injury in 2021 that forced him to miss what was widely predicted to be a breakout year for Dobbins, a second-round 2020 draft pick from Ohio State.
“He is pushing as hard as he can and there really hasn’t been any setback,” Rapoport said during an appearance on “NFL Now.” “That said, just based on the timing of the injury, my understanding is he’s no sure thing to make Week 1.”
Fifteen minutes later, Dobbins was on Twitter saying he was “tired of being quiet.” He called out Rapoport, suggesting that Rapoport used unnamed sources rather than contacting Dobbins directly. He ended the tweet by proclaiming that he was “damn sure going to be ready for week 1.”
Okay I’m tired of being quiet… come to me for your source @RapSheet because I might not even go on PUP because that’s how good my rehab is going and I’m damn sure going to be ready for week 1. https://t.co/gH2TqCFLM4
— Jk dobbins (@Jkdobbins22) July 18, 2022
Dobbins also said that his rehab after tearing his ACL in the Ravens’ final preseason game has been so successful that he could even avoid the physically unable to perform (PUP) list when the Ravens play their first preseason game on August 11.
Even if the Ravens don’t place him on the PUP list, it seemed unlikely until Dobbins’ July 18 tweets that he would play in Baltimore’s three exhibition games.
During a June 16 press conference, head coach John Harbaugh refused to target a return date for Dobbins but did acknowledge that Dobbins would “have a chance.”
“You talk to J.K. [and] he’s the starting running back today. He should’ve been practicing today. … We’ll see,” Harbaugh said.
Dobbins followed up his initial response to Rapoport with a tweet expressing his determination.
“Just know I been working,” he wrote. “I thrive best when I face adversity….go check my resume.”
Just know I been working… I been quiet for a reason. I thrive best when I face adversity….go check my resume.
Rapoport Stands by Initial Report
Not long after Dobbins’ tweets, Rapoport appeared on the “The Pat McAfee Show,” where he took some abuse from McAfee, the former Indianapolis Colts punter, and defended his reporting. McAfee trolled Rapoport, saying Dobbins “dunked on” him and even reading a mock obituary for Rapoport.
.@Jkdobbins22 just DUNKED on you @RapSheet
“I hope for J.K. Dobbins’ sake that he is ready for Week 1. That would be great for him,” Rapoport said, adding that he would “stick with” his original reporting and that the information came from “someone I trust.”
“I’m very, very, very comfortable with the source of this report,” he said.
Ravens Have Backup Plans at RB
Rapoport hinted at the Ravens’ cautious approach with Dobbins.
“No one is going to push Dobbins to get back before he is ready,” he said, seemingly confirming Harbaugh’s noncommittal comments from a month ago.
The Ravens’ other starting running back, Gus Edwards, also tore his ACL and third-stringer Justice Hill ruptured his Achilles, forcing the team to scramble for running back depth.
Even with all three expected to make complete recoveries, the Ravens still added multiple insurance options at running back this offseason, drafting Missouri bellcow Tyler Badie and signing veteran ex-Falcons back Mike Davis.
“[I’m] very positive about Mike Davis,” Harbaugh said. “He shows up as a veteran running back. [He’s] quick, has really good vision, and he’s always been a good receiving running back, but when you see it in person, it kind of opens your eyes. I’ll say, Tyler Badie, too, is a receiving running back. These guys kind of jumped out that way in these camps.”