Chargers Get Huge Boost as Injured Playmaker Returns in Week 17

The Los Angeles Chargers have been one of the best stories in the league this year. They made Jim Harbaugh the head coach of this team and he's done an incredible job turning things around.

The Chargers have a 9-6 record going into Week 17, as they travel to the East Coast to take on the New England Patriots.

Going across the country to play a 1 p.m. ET game will be different for the Chargers, but they got a huge update on running back J.K. Dobbins.

Chargers News: J.K. Dobbins Slated To Return in Week 17

According to Ian Rapoport, Los Angeles is activating Dobbins off of IR, giving the offense a massive boost.

Dobbins suffered an MCL sprain in the Week 12 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. In this game against his former team, Dobbins was excited to continue his solid campaign but unfortunately, he was placed on IR on Nov. 25.

He was forced to miss Weeks 13-16 and Los Angeles went 2-2 in that stretch.

The Ohio State product leads the team in carries (158), rushing yards (766), and rushing touchdowns (8). He's also logged six carries of 20-plus yards. The offense is a better unit with him on the field and they'll be getting him back right in time for the postseason.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles currently has a 94% of making the playoffs. Per FanDuel Sportsbook, the Chargers are 4.5-point favorites over New England.

The Pats have already been eliminated from playoff contention and are playing for pride at this point. This is a good game for Dobbins to return, as New England has the 24th-ranked run defense (130.4).

Los Angeles' offense starts on the ground and stays there. That said, the Chargers giving Dobbins two games to get some valuable reps in and get his legs back underneath him before the playoffs is huge.

He'll likely be on a snap count on Saturday to ease him back in, but this is a great development for the Chargers going forward.

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