Team news: Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers are activating RB J.K. Dobbins from IR and he’ll make his return Saturday against the Patriots.

One of the NFL’s most efficient backs, Dobbins is averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season. A big boost for L.A.’s stretch run.

Related Players: Kimani Vidal

With Gus Edwards already ruled out of this game, we would expect Dobbins to return to a pretty sizable workload. Consider him a low-end RB2 against the Patriots.

#LACvsNE game status

QUESTIONABLE — J.K. Dobbins, Will Dissly, Hayden Hurst, Elijah Molden

OUT — Gus Edwards, Trey Pipkins III, Denzel Perryman

Related Players: Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins

Vidal has seen minimal playing time in his rookie season, but the Chargers might not have a choice but to give him the rock in Week 17. If Dobbins misses, consider Vidal an RB3.

Gus Edwards is listed as a limited participant due to an ankle injury. Edwards ran 14 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday’s win over the Broncos.

J.K. Dobbins (knee) was also limited in his first appearance on the injury report since being designated for return from injured reserve.

The story said if Dobbins is going to play against the Patriots, the Chargers will have to activate him by Friday. It could be a tricky situation depending on each back's status. Owners will want to pay close attention to this situation leading up to game time.

Chargers will be opening J.K. Dobbins' 21-day window today, Jim Harbaugh tells reporters.

Related players: Gus Edwards

Dobbins has been on IR for the past four games with a knee injury. He's not a lock to play this week and he's not a lock for a safe workload even if he does play. The Chargers travel to New England in Week 17, so the matchup isn't a bad one. It's an early window game on Sunday, so owners should have plenty of notice. We'll also keep an eye on the practice reports this week.

The Chargers plan to activate TE Hayden Hurst from Injured Reserve to play in tonight’s game against the Broncos, source says.

Hurst went on IR with a hip injury in late November, but he’s practiced fully since having his window opened this week.

Related Players: Stone Smartt, Will Dissly

This puts a bit of a damper on Smartt as a streaming option in Week 16, as he should lose a little bit of usage to the vet. When (if) Dissly returns, he will likely also be off the radar as the situation gets a little too clogged up.

Starting in Washington, this is now his third straight week Rico Dowdle taking 70%+ of the carries.

Related players: Ezekiel Elliott, Deuce Vaughn, Dalvin Cook

The post went on to say Dowdle was averaging 48% of the Cowboys' carries over the course of his first nine games. Pittsburgh was the only week he got more than 57% of the team's carries. We did report, even starting back in summer, that Dowdle was the best RB on the team according to those who cover the Cowboys. Unfortunately for owners, it took some time for Dowdle to become the clear RB1, but for those who own him heading into the playoffs, this is a comforting stat to know. The next question will be what is Dowdle's future with the Cowboys. With so many needs and questions heading into 2025, it's possible Dowdle is back as an overall inexpensive option.

Jim Harbaugh said that Ladd McConkey (knee) is “working through a couple things.”

Harbaugh added and that the team will evaluate where he’s at as the week progresses. The post went on to say, when asked about the possibility of McConkey practicing this week, Harbaugh said, “We’ll see.” This certainly has a different tone it seems. Hopefully we get a clearer picture of McConkey's status for Week 14. The Chargers travel to KC for a Sunday night game, so owners are going to need some kind of backup plan if McConkey comes down to a game-time call and ends up not playing.

The Chargers are placing running back J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve with an MCL sprain.

Dobbins suffered the injury during Monday night’s loss to the Ravens. This is more of a cautionary move from the Chargers to make sure he is healthy for the stretch run and potentially the playoffs. Dobbins will now miss at least the next four games against the Falcons, Chiefs, Buccaneers and Broncos. Gus Edwards is in line to see a majority of the work in Dobbins’ absence. He carried nine times against the Ravens.

Chargers standout RB JK Dobbins suffered a knee sprain in Monday’s game that will cause him to miss some time, sources say.

He’s out this week against the Falcons and up in the air after that. Gus Edwards is his backup.

Related Players: Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins

Vidal was a healthy scratch in Week 12, so signs are pointing up for Edwards' usage this coming week. He should be considered a high-end RB3 while Vidal can't be trusted after spending Monday Night on the sidelines.

The broadcast revealed it was a knee injury for J.K. Dobbins, who was seen wearing a sizeable brace on the sideline. Dobbins would not return to the game and in his postgame presser following the loss, head coach Jim Harbaugh provided no real update.

Related players: Gus Edwards, Kimani Vidal

There was no update as of early Tuesday. For now, owners will just need to hold their breath a bit. The Chargers are already on a short week with the Monday night game and now head into Week 13, which is a Sunday game in the early window at the Falcons. We should hear more about Dobbins injury today, but owners will probably want to prepare to be without him because of the shorter week. Edwards would likely take over the early down work with Vidal possibly seeing passing down snaps, or working as a change of pace back.