Why is J.K. Dobbins not playing tonight? Exploring Chargers RB’s absence for Week 16 TNF vs. Broncos

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With a playoff spot potentially up for grabs, the LA Chargers will meet the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night. However, they will once again be without running back J.K. Dobbins.

The Chargers’ offensive struggles, particularly since Dobbins’ injury, have been a big factor in their losses in each of their last two games. The 26-year-old running back, who has a long history of injuries in the NFL, hasn’t played since Week 12, when he faced the Baltimore Ravens.

Find out why J.K. Dobbins will not be available for Thursday’s game against the Broncos below.

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Why isn’t J.K. Dobbins playing on Thursday night vs. the Denver Broncos?

The LA Chargers placed J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve after spraining his MCL during Monday night’s Week 12 game against the Baltimore Ravens. This implies that before he may be eligible to return to the field, he must miss a minimum of four games.

Will J.K. Dobbins still play this season?

Having already missed games against the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dobbins can be activated from the injured reserve list in Week 17, when the Bolts are scheduled to face the New England Patriots. Los Angeles hasn’t revealed if he will be back for that game, though.

Coach Jim Harbaugh noted prior to the game against Atlanta two weeks ago that Dobbins is recovering from a knee ailment and that he expects him to miss some time.

Dobbins has a well-documented injury history in the NFL, having only played nine games in the last two seasons due to an Achilles ailment and a ruptured ACL. The Bolts might get a lift for a postseason run if the star running back makes a comeback in Week 17.

Who will be the Chargers No. 1 RB against the Broncos in J.K. Dobbins’ absence?

The LA Chargers’ offensive fluidity has been hampered by J.K. Dobbins’ unavailability, which has led to an excessive dependence on quarterback Justin Herbert. In the last three outings, the team’s alternative running backs, Kimani Vidal and Gus Edwards, have failed to adequately replace Dobbins, raising questions about the team’s chances of making the playoffs.

Having said that, Edwards and Vidal are expected to continue sharing the backfield snaps for the Bolts when they host the Broncos in primetime tonight.