The Baltimore Ravens have made it a point to be a dominant rushing team with Lamar Jackson at quarterback.
Defenses focus on the dual-threat abilities of Jackson, only to be burned by the other talent in the backfield.
Second-year back J.K. Dobbins was poised for big things in 2021.
The former Ohio State Buckeye had 805 yards on the ground last year with nine touchdowns.
Unfortunately, he suffered a major injury Saturday night in preseason action.
J.K. Dobbins had to be helped off the field with a knee injury. He couldn't put any weight on his leg.
Prayers up for Dobbins 🙏 pic.twitter.com/PxqWursFcP
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) August 28, 2021
Fans may have been hoping for the best, but the real bad news dropped Sunday morning.
J.K. Dobbins currently is undergoing his MRI, but the expectation going in was that he had suffered a season-ending knee injury, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2021
This happening during the season is just terrible and now changes the outlook of the season for Baltimore.
The New Plan
The Ravens still have Gus Edwards as the lead man in the backfield with Dobbins out.
Ty’Son Williams is another player to keep an eye on as he continues to move up the depth chart.
Baltimore already has a dominant attack with Jackson and Edwards.
Williams in the mix as the third man helps, but the team will likely want a true third running back with experience.
Todd Gurley‘s name is being floated around due to some connection with the Ravens.
With the injury news to JK Dobbins, it is worth noting that the #Ravens brought in free agent RB Todd Gurley for a visit back in June. Gus Edwards and Ty’Son Williams are currently the top two backs in Baltimore.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 29, 2021
Gurley showing up as the third back on a team already featuring Jackson would allow him to get a proper workload given his health issues that have him on the open market in the first place.
He is no longer a lead back, but could help a team in limited action.
Terrible Blow For Dobbins
This injury slows down what was shaping up to be a quick ascent for Dobbins.
If he loses the 2021 season, 2022 will then be crucial for him to perform well and get a big second NFL contract.
But now the focus will be on just getting healthy again and getting to a place where he can return at full strength, whenever that may be.
The Ravens, like any other team in this situation, will have to adjust.
Edwards has rushed for over 700 yards in each of his three NFL seasons and now gets the chance to be the top guy in the backfield.
He just signed a two-year, $10 million deal and may end up being a huge bargain for Baltimore if he goes well over 1,000 yards in 2021.
Time will tell how the Dobbins injury changes the season for the Ravens.
Perhaps adding a player like Gurley galvanizes his career and creates a new committee-based rushing attack in Baltimore.
NEXT: Ravens Waiting To Extend Lamar Jackson Makes 2021 Monumental Year