Chargers Working out Perfect Austin Ekeler Replacement

The Los Angeles Chargers are still working on adding talent to its backfield this coming season after Austin Ekeler signed a two-year contract with the Washington Commanders in free agency.

The Chargers signed former Baltimore Ravens Gus Edwards to a two-year deal, who reunited with Greg Roman, the new offensive coordinator for Los Angeles, and coached Edwards in Baltimore.

However, Edwards might not be the only former Ravens running back joining Los Angeles this offseason. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that J.K. Dobbins is scheduled to visit the Chargers today. 

The NFL insider adds that the former Ravens running back has been cleared for football activity after he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1 last season.

Dobbins has had some unfortunate injury luck over the last few seasons as he’s been hampered by multiple leg injuries. 

The last time we saw the former Ohio St. running back play more than five games was in 2022. During that season, Dobbins had 520 yards and two touchdowns on 92 carries in eight games, but you could tell he still wasn’t fully 100 percent.

However, the hope is that all these devastating injuries are behind Dobbins as he was fantastic as a rookie in 2020 for the Ravens. The 5-foot-10 running back produced 805 yards and nine touchdowns on 134 carries. 

Dobbins hasn’t been utilized often in the passing game in his short NFL career, but he could fill that void left by Ekeler as that versatile running back who can catch the ball out of the backfield. Ekeler became one of Justin Herbert’s favorite targets due to his pass protection and ability to be a quality pass catcher.

With the Chargers already having a physical, between the tackle running back in Edwards, the idea of Dobbins reunited with Roman is a scary sight and could be a huge help to a new offense in Los Angeles.

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