Baltimore Free Agent RB J.K. Dobbins Cleared for Football Activities

Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins had yet another season end prematurely due to injury last season. In Week 1 against the Houston Texans, Dobbins ruptured an Achilles tendon, bringing a sudden halt to what he hoped would be a productive season in a contract year.

On Sept. 15, Dobbins had the injury surgically repaired by team doctor Neal ElAttrache, who has just cleared the four-year veteran to return to football activities as part of his rehab per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

That means Dobbins should start meeting with possible free agent suitors soon.

Could one of those suitors be his old team in Baltimore? Maybe. The Ravens signed free agent running back Derrick Henry to lead the rushing offense, and have Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill under contract.

The return of Dobbins to the Baltimore running backs room would make it one of the deepest in the league.

Dobbins carried 134 times for 805. yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie in 2020 before missing the entire 2021 season and the first two weeks of 2022 after tearing an ACL in training camp prior to his second year. During 2022, yet another knee injury sidelined him for an additional six games.

Because of his injury history, a team is unlikely to offer Dobbins a big contract, and he might have more value in Baltimore based on his familiarity and history with the organization. That could be good news for the Ravens.

Spotrac.com projects Dobbins to sign a two-year, $4.4 milion deal in free agency, and that length and amount would do the Ravens and Dobbins well.