Honestly, talking about J.K. Dobbins feels like discussing a "what if" story that’s still being written in real-time. If you just glance at the back of his football card, you see a guy who has bounced around a bit. Baltimore. Los Angeles. Denver. But if you actually look at the JK Dobbins career stats, you realize we’re looking at one of the most efficient—and arguably unluckiest—runners to ever step onto an NFL field.
He's a bit of a statistical anomaly. Most backs who suffer an ACL tear, then an Achilles rupture, and then a Lisfranc injury usually see their production fall off a cliff. Dobbins? He just keeps coming back and averaging five yards a pop like it’s easy. It isn't.
The Baltimore Years and That 6.0 Average
When the Ravens took him 55th overall in 2020 out of Ohio State, expectations were high. He didn't just meet them; he shattered the efficiency metrics for a rookie. He finished that first year with 805 rushing yards on just 134 carries.
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Do the math. That is 6.0 yards per carry.
In an era where a 4.5 average makes you a Pro Bowler, 6.0 is basically video game territory. He was the perfect lightning to Lamar Jackson's... well, also lightning. He found the end zone nine times that year. He looked like the next great Ravens back. Then, the wheels came off, literally. The 2021 preseason knee injury cost him an entire year of his prime. When he returned in 2022, he was clearly hampered, yet he still managed to put up 520 yards in 8 games, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
The efficiency stayed. The health didn't.
By the time 2023 rolled around, everyone was waiting for the breakout. Instead, we got one game, eight carries, 22 yards, and a torn Achilles. It was heartbreaking. Most experts thought he was done. Baltimore moved on.
The California Comeback and the Mile High Pivot
If you thought Dobbins was finished after the Achilles, his 2024 season with the Los Angeles Chargers was a massive "I'm still here" to the rest of the league. Reunited with Greg Roman and playing under Jim Harbaugh, he looked revitalized. He racked up 905 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns in 13 games.
While his average "dipped" to 4.6, he was carrying a much heavier load than he ever did in Baltimore. He wasn't just a change-of-pace guy anymore; he was the engine.
Then came 2025. Denver. Sean Payton.
In Denver, Dobbins was having arguably his most balanced season yet. Before a Week 10 Lisfranc injury slowed things down, he was the focal point of a surging Broncos offense.
2025 Regular Season Breakdown (10 Games):
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- Carries: 153
- Rushing Yards: 772
- Average: 5.0 (Back in that elite 5.0+ club)
- Touchdowns: 4
- High Point: 111 yards against Dallas in Week 8.
He was sitting 7th in the league in yards per attempt before going down. It’s sort of wild to think about. Despite the surgeries and the rehab cycles, the guy's "floor" is 5.0 yards per carry.
Career Totals: The Big Picture
As of early 2026, the cumulative JK Dobbins career stats paint a picture of a player who maximizes every single touch. He has eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark on just 582 career carries.
Career Stats at a Glance:
- Total Rushing Yards: 3,024
- Career Average: 5.2 yards per carry
- Total Touchdowns: 25 rushing, 1 receiving
- Fumbles: Only 2 in 47 games (That's elite ball security).
People talk about durability, and yeah, that’s a fair critique. He’s missed a lot of time. But when he is on the field? He’s basically a guaranteed first down every two carries. He has seven career runs of 40+ yards, which shows that home-run speed hasn't completely evaporated despite the lower-body trauma.
What's Next for Dobbins?
Right now, the buzz in Denver is all about his recovery. He’s been working on the side field, and there is legitimate talk about him being a "secret weapon" for the AFC Championship Game or a potential Super Bowl run if the Broncos keep winning.
But looking past this postseason, Dobbins is at a crossroads. He’s 27. He’s shown he can be the RB1 in a high-volume system. He’s also shown he can recover from injuries that would end other careers.
If you're looking at these stats for fantasy or just as a fan, the takeaway is simple: don't bet against the efficiency. The 5.2 career average isn't a fluke; it's a testament to his vision and contact balance.
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Actionable Insights for Following Dobbins' Career:
- Watch the Practice Reports: If he opens his 21-day return window from IR this week, he could be the most impactful "addition" to any playoff roster in the AFC.
- Monitor the Yards After Contact: Dobbins averaged 3.18 yards after contact in 2025. If that number stays high post-foot surgery, he remains a top-10 talent at the position.
- Check the Contract Status: He’s on a deal that reflects his injury risk, but another 5.0 YPC season in 2026 could finally land him the multi-year security he’s been chasing.
Dobbins isn't just a stats story; he's a persistence story. The numbers say he's one of the best to do it. The tape says he's a survivor.