How JK Dobbins carried the Ravens even though he wasn’t at full strength – Baltimore Ravens Blog

PITTBURGH — The Baltimore Ravens’ first quarterback Lamar Jackson was absent, and they lost backup quarterback Tyler Huntley in the middle of the third quarter due to concussion protocol.

The Ravens, however, managed to beat their rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers 16-14 on Sunday and stay on top of AFC North thanks to what Baltimore has – their #1 run from injured reserve.

After being sidelined for the past seven weeks, JK Dobbins came back to sprint for 120 yards and reinvigorated a ground attack that helped Baltimore overcome the starting quarterback loss for the second game in a row. It was an astonishing debut performance that impressed everyone except Dobbins.

“I’m not quite me yet. I’m going to keep getting better and hopefully those 100 yard games start to turn into maybe 200 yard games,” Dobbins said.

Dobbins was disturbed by the fourth move of the game when he crossed the 44-yard line. He clocked 20.07 mph, the ninth-highest speed for any Ravens ball carrier this season, but was knocked down by Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick 4 yards behind the end zone.

This bothered Dobbins, although he scored in the next game.

“I’m still not in the shape I should be, because I would never have been caught. So, I’m pretty sorry about that. However, it will just keep getting better,” Dobbins said.

This is actually Dobbins’ second comeback of the season. After being out last year (torn ACL, LCL, meniscus and hamstring), Dobbins has played four games this season and hasn’t had the same blowout, averaging 3.5 yards per carry (123 yards in 35 tries).

In late October, Dobbins underwent an arthroscopic procedure to remove scar tissue that was preventing her from flexing her surgically repaired left knee.

“When I wake up [from surgery]”I felt like a lot of pressure was lifted,” Dobbins said. “I knew it was going to be okay. It’s still getting better. I can only thank God. That’s why I even thought about doing it. Some people didn’t want me to do it. But I had to listen. God and he told me to do it.”

Dobbins’ return came at the right time for Baltimore. The Ravens’ run-backs have managed 180 yards in three games since the 25th-ranked bye in the NFL. On Sunday, Baltimore dropped team quarterback Anthony Brown into practice, who pressured him to play the final 22½ minutes.

Dobbins countered with the second-fastest second yard of his career (Cleveland Browns’ Nick Chubb rushed for 113 yards in Week 3) against a Pittsburgh defense that allowed only one person to run back and gain more than 100 yards in a game this season.

“Did I expect what he was going to do today? I can’t sit here and lie to you. I didn’t expect it to be like this,” said Ravens defender Calais Campbell. “I knew he’d make a good game, but wow.” . I told him he was backing the team.

Dobbins may have to continue carrying the Baltimore offense during this long run to the playoffs, especially when it comes to quarterback injury issues. The Ravens (9-4) know Dobbins will be ready against the Browns and the 22nd-place running defense on Saturday.

With Dobbins on injured reserve, Campbell said running back was close to tears sitting on the sidelines.

“He wanted the ball, he just wanted to go out on the field and play his games. I told him, ‘Everybody knows that when you see someone hungry like that,'” Campbell said. Watching you do it today was special. I said to him, ‘You have to continue. Every week I need; that’s the standard now.’”