Ravens' J.K. Dobbins updates: RB confirmed to have Achilles injury
Bad news hit the Baltimore Ravens as running back J.K. Dobbins has a torn Achilles, according to the Baltimore Ravens and as reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The four-year veteran who will be a free agent after this season went down with an injury at the start of the third quarter of the Ravens' matchup with the Texans in Baltimore. He had to be helped off of the field by Ravens medical personnel and promptly returned to the locker room. Dobbins had an MRI to confirm the injury.
Update on Dobbins: RB will miss rest of NFL season per Ravens
Here is official word.
The running back finished the game with 22 yards and a rushing touchdown on eight carries.
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How long does an Achilles tear take to heal?
According to Healio.com, it has taken an average of about 340 days after surgery for NFL players to return to action following an Achilles rupture.
People who have ruptured their Achilles in the past are at greater risk for another according to MedLinePlus.
Who is Dobbins' backup? Baltimore Ravens running backs
Gus Edwards and Justice Hill are the two running backs listed behind Dobbins on the Ravens' depth chart. Rookie Keaton Mitchell is another Ravens running back, though he's currently on injured reserve.
J.K. Dobbins injury history
Dobbins' Week 1 injury against the Texans is the latest in a string of bad luck that has seemed to follow the Ohio State product in recent years.
Ahead of the 2021 season, the Houston native tore his ACL in the Ravens' final preseason game against the then-Washington Football Team. As a result, Dobbins missed the entirety of what would have been his sophomore campaign at the pro level.
The Ohio State product missed the first two games of the 2022 season as he completed his recovery from the ACL tear a year prior. However, Dobbins suffered another knee injury in Week 6 of that year and was placed on injured reserve. He played in just seven games last year as a result.
If Dobbins' Achilles injury is confirmed, his 2023 season is likely over.
NFL RBs who have returned from Achilles injuries
The history of other NFL running backs that have ruptured their Achilles in the past does not paint a promising picture for Dobbins.
According to a 2018 study, "postoperative performance was worse in running backs and linebackers (vs. pre-injury)."
Notable recent NFL running backs to suffer an Achilles tear are Arian Foster, D'Onta Foreman, Marlon Mack and Cam Akers.
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