With the NFL regular season quickly approaching, players are running out of time to recover before the season starts. One of the most coveted positions on the field is running back and there are quite a few starting backs struggling through injuries. We will take a look at the injury reports for some very important backs.
J.K. Dobbins
The first player that is skeptical for week one is J.K. Dobbins. Despite being a second round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, he still has not gotten the chance to take his first regular season snap. Last season, he suffered a very serious knee injury in camp that kept him sidelined for the entire season. Despite it being a full year since the injury occured, it appears that it is still a lingering issue for Dobbins. While the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff has said the door is still open for Dobbins to start week one, he was still visibly limping through some of the team’s drills throughout training camp.
Cam Akers & Darnell Henderson
Los Angeles Rams fans despite coming into the season as reigning Super Bowl champions were sweating things out in the preseason as their first and second string running backs were listed on the injury list. Both players suffered soft tissue injuries during camp, however, the Rams coaching staff said that both players would be good to go for the season opener.
Miles Sanders
Another starting back whose availability was questioned for week one is Miles Sanders. Sanders suffered an injury in the preseason and was held from practice for over two weeks. However, he recently made a return to the field and the coaching staff assured fans that Sanders would be ready for week one. Despite this, his preseason injury may have more of an impact that initially expected. Kenneth Gainwell had an incredible preseason and is now fighting for the starting spot and will definitely be taking a considerable amount of Sanders’s carries throughout the season.
Elijah Mitchell
The next back with an injury update is Elijah Mitchell. Mitchell suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice for a bit. However, he recently rejoined the team on the field and is looking ready to go to open the season. With the 49ers recently clearing out the running back room a bit after releasing Trey Sermon, Mitchell is primed for another great season this year.
