The Los Angeles Chargers will see a familiar face in two divisional games this coming season, the first of which in Week 3.
On Tuesday, the Denver Broncos came to terms on a one-year deal with running back J.K. Dobbins, adding him to a youthful backfield that will look completely different from last season.
Though Dobbins led the Chargers with 905 yards on the ground last season, good enough to earn him a nomination for the league’s Comeback Player of the Year, the team chose to go in a different direction this season. That started with signing Najee Harris to a hefty free-agent contract before a first-round pick was used on North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton.
The Chargers will also have a new-look backfield, one they are excited about, but the team and its fans likely didn’t want to see Dobbins wind up in Denver.
The Chargers swept the Broncos in the season series last year, but both games were competitive. Dobbins rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting but in the second, he missed the game with injury. The Chargers turned to Gus Edwards, who scored two touchdowns on the ground in that game.
The Chargers likely gave plenty of thought to bringing Dobbins back this season, but his injury history is a real concern. They instead opted for Harris, who has never missed a game in his four NFL seasons.
Though Dobbins will now be an opponent that makes a major rival a better team overall, the Chargers feel they have one of the best running back combinations in the league and will be happy to march forward with it.
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