JK Dobbins makes statement with electrifying Chargers debut

Go ahead. Call Dobbins a “comeback king.” He’s shown great resilience, playing just 10 games since his rookie season ended in 2020.

He’s back. Again.

A year after suffering a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Week 1, new Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins rushed for 135 yards — with runs of 61 and 46 yards that were the second- and third-longest of his career — and recorded a 12-yard TD run in a 22-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

It was one of the league’s biggest statements in Week 1, as Dobbins averaged 13.5 yards per carry and heads into Sunday’s game at Carolina ranked third in the league in rushing yards. And no, this isn’t the first time Dobbins, 25, has been coming off a major injury. He never played a game in 2021 after his season with the Baltimore Ravens was derailed by a torn ACL suffered in the preseason.

Go ahead. Call him the “Comeback King.” The man has shown some serious resilience, considering he’s only played 10 games since his rookie season ended in 2020.

“Jesus made a way for me to be here, through all the trials and tribulations,” Dobbins told USA TODAY Sports in a training camp interview. “A lot of people talk about injuries. The injuries I’ve had have been unfortunate. I can’t control anything, right? All I can do is fight through them like I did. To get this new opportunity, you have to fight through them. I think that means this new beginning is going to be incredible. These storms are over.”

Dobbins, who entered the NFL with the Ravens as a second-round pick out of Ohio State, has certainly landed in a familiar place. Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman was his first coordinator in Baltimore. New Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz spent more than two decades with the Ravens. Assistant general manager Chad Alexander also trained in Baltimore. Gus Edwards is one of his backfield mates, just as he was in Baltimore.

And, of course, he feels a connection to Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh.

“I love him so much,” Dobbins said. “I have family ties to him because I played for his brother (John). And I played against him (in the Big Ten). So we were pretty close. But now that I play for him … he’s one of a kind. He makes us laugh.”

Spend a few minutes with Dobbins and his positive energy is palpable. Harbaugh, who is trying to build a new culture in Los Angeles, calls it contagious.

“He loves football,” Harbaugh told USA TODAY Sports. “He’s like me. Put us on a football field and there’s going to be joy.”

And apparently, for Dobbins, the setbacks that derailed his career, at least temporarily, have not affected his prospects.

Are you tired of people asking about injuries?

“I actually love it,” Dobbins said. “It’s my story. This guy had a torn ACL and Achilles tendon, and he’s still here. Some people, maybe most people, would have retired. Or they can’t find a way to get through it. But I’m still here because all I know how to do is keep fighting and keep moving forward.”

It’s still early, but perhaps Dobbins is shaping up to be a legitimate candidate for NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Tua Tagovailoa Watch

After Tua Tagovailoa suffered at least his third concussion in less than two years Thursday night, calls for the Miami Dolphins quarterback to consider retirement intensified, with an instant backlash as pundits, analysts and social media posters weighed in on the pros and cons.

There’s no doubt that the sight of Tagovailoa collapsing in pain after a collision with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the third quarter of a disastrous loss was frightening. And given what experts have said about people being susceptible to concussions after suffering multiple head injuries, it can’t be ignored. While Tagovailoa didn’t suffer a single concussion during the 2023 campaign, his 2022 season has been marred by at least two (and possibly three) concussions that have also fueled retirement suggestions.

Now there’s a new case to consider, just weeks after the Dolphins signed Tagovailoa to a four-year, $212.4 million extension that included $167.2 million in guarantees.

In the aftermath of the 30-10 loss, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel didn’t have a timetable for the quarterback’s expected recovery. And he shouldn’t have. Every case is different. Still, the suggestion that Tagovailoa be placed on injured reserve for four weeks to heal seems to have merit.

“It’s more about getting a proper procedural assessment (Friday) and taking it one day at a time,” said McDaniel, who could be forced to call on unproven backup quarterback Skylar Thompson. “The last thing on my mind is what the timeline is.”

Tagovailoa wasn’t hurt by a violent takedown or by his head bouncing off the turf. He went down after colliding headfirst with Hamlin in the open field. Every time he comes back, it’s obvious he has to employ at least one self-preservation measure: sliding.

Team advantage on the road?

In some ways, the Pittsburgh Steelers felt like they were playing at home in their first game in Atlanta. Steeler Nation was in full force at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Not only did the cheers of the Steelers fans drown out the home crowd when Pittsburgh made big plays, but they also forced the Falcons to use a silent snap count — in their own stadium.

“Steeler Nation is unbelievable,” Pittsburgh linebacker TJ Watt said after the 18-10 victory. “It’s extremely demoralizing for an offense to be in silent countdown mode on their own field. Unbelievable. Honestly, a lot of these plays come down to them.”

Watt, who recorded a sack, three quarterback hits and two tackles for loss, recovered a fumble in the third quarter after a shotgun snap hit tight end Ross Dwelley as he was running through the moving formation.

“The loose ball I was able to land on was because they had a quiet count,” Watt said. “Any time that happens, and there’s a lot of turnover and movement … I’m not surprised.”

Fast tilts

It’s clearly a kicker’s world. First, the “dynamic” kickoff. Now, a new record to start the season. Kickers made 21 field goals of at least 50 yards in Week 1, surpassing the mark of 15 set in Week 3 last season. And the success rate, 91.3 percent (21 of 23), was pretty astonishing, too… First-round linebacker Jared Verse shined in his NFL debut in Detroit, becoming the first Rams rookie to record a sack in his first game since Robert Quinn in 2011. The Florida State product also recorded six pressures and two quarterback hits on Jared Goff.