Dobbins Dispute: Ravens' Harbaugh Reveals 'Hold-in' Hope: 'It's Up to J.K.'

“To be a great player, you know you need to put in the time and the effort and just get with the team and get right. He wants to do that ... and that’s why I kind of expect him back here pretty soon.” - Coach John Harbaugh on J.K. Dobbins and his "hold-in.''

It has become fairly clear that Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins is staging a "hold-in'' of sorts, as he has been in attendance but hasn’t practiced in training camp. ... all the while seemingly stewing over the fact that he's entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract and is due $1.4 million salary in 2023.

Yes, there is an official reason for him being sidelined, which is that he’s on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a knee injury. But Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh, when asked about the situation, generally avoids being very specific about any of that.

Now the preseason is about to start? Any specifics, coach?

“The ball is in J.K.'s court,” Harbaugh said. “It's up to J.K.''

The NFL is of course in a place in which the running backs don't like the "devaluation'' of their position, and in a vacuum, $1.4 million is not a very handsome reward - though it is the result of Dobbins having been drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and not yet eligible to sell his wares as a free agent, which could be the case for him next spring ...

At which time, talented as he is, Dobbins is likely to find out that his position is still being "devalued.''

Said new teammate Melvin Gordon of the running backs: "We're kind of screwed.''

So the Ravens, position here, without publicly announcing it: We've got a contract. We like you. We'll see you when we see you. ... though at the same time, the coach is trying to gently offer the message that workouts are important.

“Generally speaking, to be a great player, you know you need to put in the time and the effort and just get with the team and get right,” Harbaugh said. "He wants to do that in his case, and that’s why I kind of expect him back here pretty soon.”

"Soon'' as in this week? Next week? In time to practice ahead of the Week 1 regular-season opener against Houston Texans?

Said Harbaugh: "We have talked. We talked again yesterday. We had a great conversation. I do expect him back very soon, but I don’t have anything to say about it. It’s up to J.K.''

Follow the Baltimore Ravens Daily Blitz Podcast

Follow Raven Country on Twitter and Facebook

Ravens Alert! Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Baltimore Ravens?