Dobbins was stuffed early and often against a Houston front seven that has snuffed out opposing rushing attacks for most of the season. He was not targeted in the season-ending loss. The 2024 campaign was a career-revival season for Dobbins after suffering back-to-back season-ending injuries as a member of the Ravens. He quickly emerged in LA as the team’s lead back, gaining 905 yards and scoring nine touchdowns on the ground while catching 32 passes for 153 yards. Dobbins was efficient enough with a 4.6 yards per carry, though his breakaway long speed has definitely diminished from his early years in Baltimore. Dobbins showed enough in 2024 to draw interest in free agency this spring. Entering his age-27 season, Dobbins — an unrestricted free agent — has a chance to stick with longtime OC Greg Roman if he doesn’t get a shot to function as a lead back elsewhere.

Dobbins was limited in practice throughout the week, but this may have been more of a precautionary measure as the team prepares for their first game of the postseason. Over the final two weeks of the regular season, Dobbins rushed 37 times for 139 yards and one touchdown. He should be able to handle the majority of the Chargers’ backfield touches come Saturday, barring any setback.

Seeing Dobbins graduate to full participation on Thursday would be reassuring but his continued limited participation at least confirms he has not suffered a setback. Fantasy managers should expect him to handle his usual high-volume workload for Wild Card Weekend.