Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins pushes back on report about knee injury: 'Damn sure I'll be ready for Week 1'

Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins broke a 10-month Twitter silence to dispute a report made by NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport about his injury outlook.

Rapaport made an appearance on NFL Now on Monday to provide an update on Dobbins, who was unable to follow up a breakout rookie campaign because of a season-ending knee injury suffered during the 2021 preseason. Rapaport reported the Ravens running back’s rehabilitation process wasn’t necessarily going poorly, but new information suggested Dobbins was "no sure thing" to play in Baltimore's Week 1 game against the New York Jets.

Dobbins sent a series of tweets in response to Rapaport, his first non-retweeted posts on his Twitter account since September 2021.

“Okay I’m tired of being quiet... come to me for your source [Rapaport] because I might not even go on [the physically unable to perform list] because that’s how good my rehab is going and I’m damn sure I’ll be ready for Week 1,” said Dobbins via Twitter.

“Just know I been working,” Dobbins continued in a separate tweet. “I been quiet for a reason. I thrive best when I face adversity...go check my resume.”

Rapaport reported that the injury may be more serious than the typical ACL tear, citing damage to the meniscus as well as additional lateral damage. Rapaport also noted that the Ravens installed a contingency plan by signing former Atlanta Falcons running back Mike Davis last season.

In 2021, Baltimore was forced to sign Devonta Freeman, Latavius Murray, and Le’Veon Bell last year after losing both Dobbins and Gus Edwards to season-ending injuries. According to Pro Football Reference, Baltimore had 22 players miss a combined 177 games while on injured reserve in 2021.

Rapaport appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" shortly after Dobbins delivered his response via Twitter. While Rapaport did say he hoped Dobbins would make it back in time for Week 1, he stuck by his original report.

“I hope for J.K. Dobbins’ sake that he is ready for Week 1, that would be great for him, said Rapaport. “I will stick with the person who told me this. I am very, very, very, very comfortable with the source of this report, and I hope he’s ready for Week 1 because that would be great. Didn’t say he’s not gonna be. Just said it’s no sure thing and the Ravens protected themselves, but I hope that he ends up being ready. That would be a great outcome for all sides. And I hope they don’t rush him, because that was a very serious knee injury.”

“If I’m able to say what I believe, from a very good source, publicly, he should be able to react without me going into a corner and crying. It's okay, it’s good actually. He should be able to say that.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: J.K. Dobbins disputes report on timetable for return from knee injury