Fantasy News: Chargers' J.K. Dobbins Activated Off IR, Could Play vs. Patriots

The Los Angeles Chargers will activate running back J.K. Dobbins from injured reserve ahead of Saturday's game against the New England Patriots, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported on Friday that the team was "optimistic" Dobbins would return from his knee injury in time for Saturday's game.

Dobbins has missed four games since landing on IR with an MCL sprain suffered during a Week 12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

The running back is currently listed as "questionable" on the Chargers' Week 17 injury report after being limited in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. He rejoined the team for a full Thursday practice.

Fantasy team managers should keep an eye on whether the Chargers activate Dobbins ahead of this weekend. He recorded double-digit carry totals in 10 straight games and had eight rushing touchdowns on the season prior to his injury.

Dobbins has to be activated by 4 p.m. ET on Friday in order to be eligible to play against the Patriots.

Through Week 11 he was averaging 72.6 rushing yards per game, ranking him among the NFL's top 10 backs and making him a solid fantasy pickup when healthy.

Dobbins' fantasy value could climb even further given that running back Gus Edwards has been ruled out for Saturday's game.

Edwards received a larger role in Dobbins absence, but he suffered an ankle injury during last Thursday's win over the Denver Broncos that was later aggravated in practice.

If the Chargers keep him sidelined, a sleeper pick for fantasy managers looking to add a running back this weekend could be rookie Kimani Vidal.

Vidal played a career-high 67 percent of the Chargers' offensive snaps in a Week 15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and could see that number climb higher if he is called on to take on a larger role in the backfield.

The safest bet for increased usage if Dobbins is out this weekend would be rookie wideout Ladd McConkey. Without their top back the Chargers would be likely to lean on their passing game, and McConkey leads the team with 960 receiving yards with five receiving touchdowns heading into Week 15.

The best outcome for the Chargers is that the team is able to activate a healthy Dobbins in time for what is arguably the team's most important game of the season.

A victory over the Patriots would secure a playoff spot for the Chargers, while a loss would increase the odds of Los Angeles dropping to a Wild Card matchup.