OWINGS MILLS, MD. — Running back J.K. Dobbins took a knee in the end zone, bowed his head, and then jogged out onto the practice field at the Under Armour Performance Center, returning to practice for the first time since January.
Dobbins was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list on Aug. 14, ending a drama that has played out for several months as the fourth-year running back lamented both his current contract status and the market for running backs overall.
Dobbins participated in individual drills and some offensive install periods, during which the team runs through its playbook. Dobbins did not take part in any of the full-team periods against the defense, though the two-hour practice was essentially run at half-speed in advance of what figure to be two intense joint practices with the Washington Commanders here throughout the next two days.
“It feels good to have him back here on the field,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s excited. We’re all excited. We’ll probably ramp him up a little bit this week and work him in there and try to be smart in how we do it, but he’ll be fine. He’s 100 percent healthy. He looks good.”
Dobbins did not meet with the media and is not scheduled to do so this week.
Dobbins, 24, has not been on the field since the Ravens’ playoff loss at Cincinnati, after which he voiced frustration about his lack of usage in key situations in that game. Quarterback Tyler Huntley fumbled on an attempted goal-line quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter of that game, leading to a 98-yard fumble return touchdown by Bengals defensive lineman Sam Hubbard that proved to be the difference in a 24-17 Ravens loss.
After the game, Dobbins told the assembled media, “[Huntley] should’ve never been in that situation. I don’t get a single carry. I believe I would’ve put it in the end zone. I’m a guy that feels that if I’m on the field all the time, I can help this team win. I wasn’t. It’s the playoffs. Why am I not out there? I should be the guy. I’m tired of holding back.”
A few months later, entering the final season of his rookie deal, Dobbins sent out a series of cryptic tweets that hinted at frustration over his contract status, and he stayed away from the team’s voluntary OTA activities.
Dobbins reported for mandatory minicamp in June, but he did not take part in any on-field workouts, watching at times from the weight room. Harbaugh at the time said he expected Dobbins to practice but, “It just wasn’t in the cards, apparently.”
Dobbins is expected to be the No. 1 back for the Ravens, who also return Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. They signed veteran Melvin Gordon this summer and have also signed undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell, who has opened some eyes with his quickness through the early stages of training camp.
Dobbins, a second-round pick out of Ohio State, ran for 805 yards and set a franchise record with nine rushing touchdowns as a rookie in 2020. He was viewed as a top breakout candidate in 2021, but he suffered a torn ACL in a preseason game, costing him the entire season.
He returned to action last year but then had a procedure to clean up scar tissue in his surgically repaired knee, which forced him to miss six midseason games. He recorded back-to-back 100-yard games upon return and finished the season with 92 carries for 520 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite missing nine games, Dobbins led Ravens running backs in rushing, just as he had as a rookie in 2020. Quarterback Lamar Jackson led the team in rushing both seasons.
Dobbins has averaged 5.9 yards per carry during his career, the highest average for any running back with at least 200 carries since he broke into the league in 2020.
Asked about Dobbins earlier this offseason, new offensive coordinator Todd Monken said, “When you get on the grass, you want to see your best players. That’s fun. … I know he’ll be ready when he’s out there. But we are certainly better with him out there.”
PRACTICE NOTEBOOK
HUNTLEY SIDELINED BY HAMSTRING INJURY; STONE, SIMPSON RETURN: Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley missed practice with a minor hamstring strain sustained in the preseason opener Aug. 12, and head coach John Harbaugh said the team would tread cautiously with Huntley.
“We’re not going to be in a hurry. … The thing about the hamstring is you don’t want to redo it,” Harbaugh said. “You don’t want to reinjure it. We have been really cautious with the hamstrings of late. We’ll probably continue that trend.”
Other absences coming out of the Ravens’ first preseason game against Philadelphia on Aug. 12 included wide receiver James Proche, tight end Isaiah Likely and safety Jaquan Amos. Harbaugh said Proche is dealing with a hip contusion. Likely left the game against the Eagles after taking a big hit after catching a short pass, though no medical update was given. He watched the second half from the sideline.
Safety Geno Stone (ankle) and linebacker Trenton Simpson returned to practice after missing time during the past week with injuries. Simpson at one point did some conditioning work on a side field with receiver Rashod Bateman.
CB WILLIAMS TO MISS START OF SEASON: Head coach John Harbaugh said cornerback Damarion “Pepe” Williams will have an operation related to his ankle injury and will miss the start of the season. Williams, a fourth-round pick out of Houston last year, played in 14 games as a rookie with 24 tackles (including two on special teams) and two passes defensed.
Williams was considered one of the front-runners for the job as the slot or nickel cornerback. He began training camp on the PUP list because of an ankle injury sustained earlier in the spring, and Harbaugh said the operation would be related to that.
“It’s not going to be a season-ender,” Harbaugh said, adding that he thought Williams could be back by October. Williams figures to begin the season on injured reserve, but he will need to be on the initial 53-man roster in order to be eligible to return from IR.
Harbaugh said several other cornerbacks who are sidelined — Jalyn Armour-Davis, Arthur Maulet and Rock Ya-Sin, all are getting close to returning to action.
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