J.K. Dobbins injury: Chargers RB activated for Week 17 game vs. Patriots

The Los Angeles Chargers are getting one of their big playmakers back in Week 17.

Los Angeles announced Friday afternoon that it activated running back J.K. Dobbins off injured reserve. He is set to play in the Chargers' Saturday afternoon game against the New England Patriots.

Dobbins had missed the Chargers' last four games after sustaining a sprained knee in his team's Week 12 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Now, with Los Angeles needing one win to clinch a playoff spot, the team's leading touchdown scorer will return with a chance to push the Chargers into the postseason.

Dobbins' return comes at a perfect time for the AFC wild-card contenders, who announced Thursday they were ruling out running back Gus Edwards for Saturday's game.

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What happened to J.K. Dobbins?

Dobbins suffered an MCL sprain during the first half of the Chargers' Week 12 game against the Ravens. He did not return for the second half, and Los Angeles eventually placed the running back on injured reserve ahead of a Week 13 clash with the Atlanta Falcons.

As a result, Dobbins would have to miss four games at a minimum.

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J.K. Dobbins injury updates

On Friday afternoon, the Chargers designated the 26-year-old running back to return off of IR.

The team also announced that Dobbins will be ready to play in the team's Week 17 game against the Patriots on Saturday. How much Los Angeles leans on its leading touchdown scorer remains to be seen.

Notably, the Ohio State product was a limited participant in Los Angeles' practices on Tuesday and Wednesday, but he was listed as a full participant on Thursday, the team's final practice of the week. The Chargers initially gave him a "questionable" designation before Friday's announcement that he would return from IR.

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How long is J.K. Dobbins out?

With Dobbins ready to go for Saturday's game, it means the running back will have missed only four games – the minimum number required for players placed on IR.

The Chargers went 2-2 in their four games without their leading rusher. They averaged 74.8 rushing yards per game in that span and surpassed 100 rushing yards only once.

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JK Dobbins injury updates: Chargers RB set to play in Week 17